Over the past 30 years, China has made a historic leap from backwardness to a modern, developed society. There are still many problems in the country, but one thing is clear: from a poor and politically unstable country in the past, tormented by constant shocks, the PRC is turning into a powerful state capable of exerting significant influence not only on regional, but also on world politics.

China's foreign policy has undergone significant changes.

To date, the main guidelines and forms of the country's foreign policy, Beijing's vision of the modern world order and China's place in it have been determined. The foreign policy doctrine of the People's Republic of China has been formed, reflecting modern realities and relying on the diplomatic experience of past years.

Now China claims to be not only a model of economic growth, but also the author of its own alternative theory of the development of international relations, emphasizing pragmatism, innovation, social cohesion and self-determination.

FROM "PEACEFUL RISE" TO "SOFT POWER"

While protecting its national interests, China has also emphasized its respect for multilateralism and international norms, and has sought all possible ways to improve its reputation on the world stage. At the same time, Beijing is increasingly positioning itself not only as a purely Asian, regional, but also in many respects as a global power. This is reflected, among other things, in the intensification of China's contacts with the political Group of Eight and the economic Group of Seven, which Beijing previously avoided, and its participation in the G20 of the world's leading economic powers. China has noticeably stepped up its activities in the UN, especially in the Security Council and in improving the work of the United Nations as a whole.

After the leadership led by Hu Jintao came to power, new accents appeared in the work on shaping the image of China.

Peace declarations and denunciations of hegemonism, cold war mentality, and power politics have taken a key place in Beijing's foreign policy arsenal. Increasingly, there have been statements that China will strive to play a constructive role in world affairs, "to promote the development of the international order in an even more just and reasonable direction." 1
New policy initiatives such as" smiling diplomacy "(weixiao waijiao)," public diplomacy "(gonggong Waijiao) and" good neighborly diplomacy " (muling Waijiao) play an important role in Beijing's desire to join integration processes and become an informal regional leader.2
Given the concerns caused by China's growing power, the country's leadership has come to the conclusion that it is necessary to attract world public opinion to its side by promoting the thesis of a peaceful path for China's development.

First, a policy of "peaceful ascent" was adopted, demonstrating China's willingness to play a more active role in the processes of economic globalization and the formation of a multipolar world. But because this doctrine was viewed with caution abroad, it seems to have been removed from the arsenal of Chinese official propaganda in 2004.

It was replaced by the concept of "peace and development", put forward by Beijing in the 80s of the last century.

To increase the effectiveness of propaganda support for its foreign policy activities, Beijing has used the values of traditional Confucian thought, which has always been characterized by respect for "harmony".

The "harmonious world" strategy formulated as a result of the adjustments was announced by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Afro-Asian Forum in Jakarta in April 2005 and at the summit dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the United Nations in September of the same year.

In his keynote speech at the United Nations, "Building a harmonious world community based on lasting peace and co-prosperity," the Chinese leader expressed China's willingness to "build together with other countries a just and reasonable new international political and economic order." 3
"The leitmotif of our time is peace, cooperation and development. The trend towards the formation of a multipolar world is growing.

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a globalized economy, " Hu said. "In this historic era of opportunities and challenges, countries can ensure a brighter future for humanity and create a harmonious global community of peace and prosperity only by coming together closely to seize opportunities and meet challenges."

Hu called for action in four directions.

- "Pursue a multilateral policy to ensure universal security", create a new global security mechanism, the backbone of which will be the UN.

- Ensure that " economic globalization benefits all countries, especially developing countries, and does not lead to a further polarization of the world in which the poor will become poorer and the rich richer."

- "Create an atmosphere of unity by building a harmonious world together. Respect the right of each country to independently choose its own social system and development paths, encourage countries to learn from each other's experience..., learn from the strengths of such experience, and not turn one model into a fetish, ... deepen inter-civilizational dialogue and exchanges."

- "Actively and prudently carry out the reform of the UN, ...an important component of which is the reform of the Security Council. The latter should be aimed primarily at increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African countries, and ensuring the participation of more countries, especially small and medium-sized ones, in Security Council decision-making. " 4
- As part of the implementation of this strategy, the Chinese leadership pays considerable attention to the use of the "soft power"tool. According to the definition of the American political scientist Joseph Nye, "soft power" (Ruan shili) is the art of persuasion, using intangible resources of culture and political ideals in order to influence people in other countries.

However, the Chinese definition of "soft power" is much broader than the Western one and significantly pushes the boundaries of its application. Giving this concept a Taoist * connotation, Chinese theorists often quote a sample of ancient wisdom that says that "in the Middle Kingdom, the softest prevails over the hardest." The first mention of "soft power" appeared in Chinese journalism and scientific literature in the late 90s of the XX century, but the attention of the authorities and the expert community was drawn to it later, in 2004, after the publication of an article by Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Qian Qichen. After analyzing the policy of the United States that invaded Iraq, the author came to the conclusion that the preventive use of "hard power" and Washington's lack of attention to the possibilities of "soft power" and international institutions deprived America of some important tools necessary for implementing its national security strategy.5
In the process of discussing the concept of "soft power" in the circle of the Chinese intellectual elite, various political and cultural interpretations of it have emerged. At the same time, everyone agreed that the two main sources of "soft power" are the richness of national culture and the success of the Chinese model of modernization. It was stated that one of the main vehicles of China's "soft power" should be "harmonious" diplomacy based on the ideas of a variety of development models, maintaining global stability and creating conditions for "universal prosperity", in which developing countries are primarily interested.

THE MAIN OBJECTS OF "SOFT" IMPACT ARE THE ASIA - PACIFIC REGION...

Beijing attaches paramount importance to developing relations with its closest neighbors and creating a kind of security belt around China, since in the Asia-Pacific Region and Southeast Asia (SE) it faces a system of military treaties and alliances built under the auspices of the United States, including those aimed at "containing" the PRC.

While making efforts to consolidate its position in the region, Beijing seeks, first of all, to establish as close cooperation as possible with the countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and enhance its role in these organizations.

In a speech on October 21, 2001, to the heads of State and territory of the region gathered at the Shanghai Summit, then-President Jiang Zemin said: "APEC was the originator of a model of effective cooperation that galvanized growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region."6
Cheng Yonglin, director of the Center for APEC Studies at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Academy of Social Sciences of the People's Republic of China, described China's policy in APEC as "offensive", and one of the patriarchs of the study was quiet-

* Taoism is a Chinese religion and one of the main religious and philosophical schools that originated in China. I millennium BC based on shamanic beliefs. The founder is considered to be the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu. The main concept is the tao, the way-the universal law of the universe, the basis of its harmony. Following the tao also includes inaction.

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Drysdel noted that "after China's accession to APEC, this organization has taken a central place in the views of the Chinese leadership regarding reforms, economic development, integration into the regional and international economy,and regional security." 7
There is an understanding among the Chinese political and scientific elite that, despite its formal consultative status, APEC develops regional rules and regulations for trade, investment and financial activities, and this contributes to creating the material foundation for a new political order in the region. In 2004, it was decided to establish the Asia-Pacific Center for Finance and Development in China, which studies the problems of coordinating the financial policies of APEC countries.

Acting within the APEC framework, the Chinese leadership is actively pursuing integration processes, based on the fact that they help open up markets for Chinese goods, obtain sources of capital, and strengthen the country's influence both in the region and abroad.

The participation of Chinese representatives in APEC's working bodies, ranging from meetings of senior officials to painstaking daily work in committees and working groups, is particularly important in the use of soft power within APEC.

All this gradually makes them "their own people", part of a narrow circle of people who make final decisions and monitor their implementation, and act as co-authors of many initiatives that later become international. In this way, Chinese representatives manage to "settle in" this organization and largely use it as a vehicle for Chinese ideas and views. In addition, such participation in APEC activities provides invaluable economic, statistical, technological and managerial information.

...AND ASEAN

Another major area of China's foreign policy and economic activity is ASEAN, which covers a region that is strategically important for China's national security.

Having established official relations with the Association in 1991, Beijing established a joint cooperation committee in the same year, which immediately became one of the important channels for maintaining relations between China and the Association, responsible for coordinating cooperation in various fields.

ASEAN serves as a platform for China's influence on the international processes taking place in Southeast Asia, and at the same time, China's participation in its work expands the Association's members ' ability to reduce their dependence on the United States and Japan. Of course, they are aware that cooperation with China within the framework of ASEAN creates a potential opportunity for China to dominate the region, but they hope that the process of regional rapprochement can to some extent help mitigate the consequences of the growing influence of the Middle Kingdom. To some extent, they are reassured by Beijing's repeated statements about peaceful intentions and its image as a benevolent, friendly neighbor who is ready to help in difficult times, as it was during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 and the last global financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009.

Increasing financial lending, creating a comprehensive system of economic networks, and implementing cultural projects form the core of China's soft power relations with the ASEAN countries. This strategy includes three areas::

- establish strong political and financial ties with national governments;

- creation of a free trade area (FTA);

- Enhancing the cultural appeal of the PRC and promoting pro-Chinese sentiment among ASEAN members through projects involving both public and private capital.

After China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the gradual removal of long-standing barriers to attracting foreign investment to the country, a modern development strategy has emerged that is based on two interrelated and complementary areas of foreign economic activity.

In the traditional Chinese manner, they are marked with paired slogans-appeals - "attract to the country" (yin jinlai).) and "go outside" (Zou Chuqu)8. The first of these directions means nothing more than a course to attract foreign investment to the country. In fact, it expresses a very familiar attribute of the open foreign policy (kaifang zhengzhe) pursued by Beijing for more than 25 years. The second direction reflects the sharp intensification in recent years of the policy of promoting and developing transnational economic activities of Chinese enterprises (Zhongguo qiye kuago jinyin).9
In recent years, China has evolved from a developing recipient of foreign loans to a major global lender.

For example, in Southeast Asia, China's lending has already surpassed that of the United States. Back in 2002, China's loans to Indonesia were twice as large as those of the United States, and the Philippines and Laos ' loans were four and three times larger, respectively, in 2006.10

In 2009, the total amount of loans granted to ASEAN countries by China reached $10 billion, which were aimed at creating infrastructure, developing energy and natural resources, as well as improving the information field and communications. In the next 3-5 years, China intends to increase loans for the needs of the Association countries by another $15 billion.

Not without benefit to the image of the PRC, small grants are also used. So, $39.7 million was reserved for "special assistance" to Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia and for " urgent needs of the 10 poorest countries and China's closest allies." Beijing also expressed its intention to donate $5 million to the China-Asean Cooperation Fund and $900,000 to the ASEAN+3 Cooperation Fund (China, Japan and South Korea).11.

Considering the interest of Southeast Asian countries in the development of GRO-

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China is actively engaged in economic diplomacy, including with the aim of developing multilateral free trade agreements.

Despite the negative consequences of the global financial and economic crisis, since the official opening of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone in January 2010, there has been a rapid development of bilateral trade and economic relations. In January-August 2010, the total trade turnover between China and the ASEAN countries reached $185.4 billion. At the same time, the volume of imports from ASEAN countries to China amounted to $97.3 billion, which is 54% more compared to the same period in 2009, and the volume of exports from China to ASEAN countries - $88.1 billion. with an increase of 40% 12. These indicators are used by Beijing to demonstrate China's special role in regional integration.

Loans help Chinese state-owned companies to penetrate deeper into the economies of Southeast Asian countries. This applies in particular to exploration activities to identify natural gas reserves in Indonesia, investment in infrastructure in the Philippines, and the establishment of transport links to Singapore via Cambodia and Thailand.13
BUSINESS AND TOURIST TRAILS TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT

China's economic diplomacy towards ASEAN attaches high priority to promoting China's business activities, new economic development initiatives, and tourism. At various forums and meetings organized under the auspices of the People's Republic of China, business and personal relationships are established and consolidated among young leaders and business elites of both sides.

The annual China-ASEAN EXPO plays a special role in implementing the "soft power" policy and expanding the sphere of influence in the ASEAN markets. They facilitate the development of numerous business relationships and help Chinese state-owned companies and small and medium-sized businesses invest and cooperate with the business community of the region.

Thus, at the 7th EXPO, held in October 2010 in Nanying, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, trade deals worth $1.7 billion were signed, as well as 58 cross-border investment projects between enterprises of China and ASEAN countries worth $2.66 billion.14
In addition to promoting business and investment, the development of tourism also contributes to the strengthening of China's "soft power".

In the 80s of the last century, there were no more than a few tens of thousands of Chinese traveling to the countries of Southeast Asia. In 2008, the ASEAN countries were visited by 4.5 million Chinese tourists, second only to the European Union (6.6 million), an annual increase of almost 14%. In 2009, the flow of Chinese remained at a high level, although it still decreased to 4 million 15.

For the ASEAN countries, the growing number of tourists from China is becoming an increasingly important source of income in the region. At the same time, the growing tourism industry will help to speed up the implementation of projects that will eliminate restrictions on foreign companies on the territory of the Association and eliminate preferences for local business entities within the framework of ASEAN and the ASEAN Cruise TourismProgram16. Such activity in cooperation on tourism with the Association creates a situation of mutual benefit for China.

BEIJING'S INNOVATION PROGRAMS

Due to the increased attention of the world community to the problem of climate change, Beijing considers the development of eco-tourism as one of the priority areas in cooperation with the ASEAN countries.

China reiterated its intention to strengthen cooperation in the Mekong River basin, the economic growth zone in the east of the ASEAN region and other sub-regions. At the same time, the PRC adheres to the policy of holistic development, acting, in particular, within the framework of the Asian Development Bank initiative aimed at creating the Xishuangbanna biological diversity corridor in Yunnan Province.17 This project is designed to connect 9 ecological zones scattered throughout the Indochina Peninsula, while ensuring not only long-term socio-economic development and the formation of the South-North axis, but also the preservation of biological diversity, natural landscape and ecosystems of various areas.

For example, Singapore has been working with China since 2007 to create an ecological city 40 km from the Chinese port of Tianjin 18. According to genet-

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The project will take more than 10 years to complete, according to Goh Chi Boon, Director General of the development company, who delivered a report at the 3rd meeting of the Joint China-Singapore Coordination Council held in Beijing in July 2010.

The new initiative is being implemented on the basis of an integrated plan of both sides for economic and investment cooperation, including in the field of environmental protection and the development of eco-technologies. The implementation of this joint project will give Singapore considerable profit and strengthen political cooperation with China. As for Beijing, the experience of participating in Singapore's economic development is very useful, which will help China find and implement a much-needed new model of urbanization.

CULTURAL COMPONENT OF "SOFT POWER"

The third pillar of China's "soft power" is the spread of Chinese culture and language in the countries of the region.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, cultural exchanges have been an important part of Chinese diplomacy, and the role of this area continues to grow steadily. In October 2007, the Chinese Government officially identified culture as an important component of the country's" soft power". In the same year, at the 17th Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Hu Jintao noted that culture is becoming an increasingly important factor in the overall state power and called for increasing the role of the cultural component of "soft power". Recognizing the growing importance of culture and considering it an important supporting pillar of diplomacy, the Chinese leadership has included the concept of "cultural soft power"in the Government's work report.19
Chinese government, public and academic figures constantly emphasize the urgent need to" broaden the horizons " of foreigners. Thus, the Huanqiu Shibao newspaper wrote: "Our culture should begin to actively influence the social environment inherent in various countries of the world... We need to proudly present real Chinese cultural values to the world and at the same time clearly understand the purposefulness of this process. Full-fledged and real cultural influence is a force that can make changes in the ordinary way of life of other peoples, significantly change the views on established human values. " 20
To achieve its cultural goals, China is increasing the number of international students in China, opening Confucius institutes, and expanding television and radio broadcasting, especially in Southeast Asia.

Since 2004, China has opened more than 249 Confucius institutes in 78 countries, and plans to increase this number to 500 in 2010. In the ASEAN countries alone, there are about 20 such institutions that promote the Chinese language and culture. 13 of them are located in Thailand, while the rest are located in Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines and Singapore.21
In addition, an electronic version of the Confucius Institute has been launched in an experimental mode, allowing you to get acquainted with Chinese culture and modern information about China via the Internet. The mission of the Institute is to promote understanding of China and Chinese culture around the world, and to develop friendly relations between China and other countries. And training at the Confucius Institutes is focused on the specifics of cooperation with China.

Confucius institutes face at least two tasks: the first is educational, which is based on the already established mechanisms of language teaching and the organization structure of the Spanish Cervantes Institute, the British Council and the German Goethe Institute. In 2010, approximately 40 million people around the world studied Chinese as a foreign language. However, according to Chinese political scientists, such a surge of interest in the language is caused more by economic factors than by interest in traditional culture or customs of China: knowledge of the Chinese language makes it much easier to negotiate and guarantees successful employment.

Despite the fact that Beijing emphasizes the non-profit and non-governmental nature of the Confucius Institutes, it is no secret that this network of educational institutions is funded and controlled by the Chinese State Committee for the Dissemination of the Chinese Language Abroad under the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

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This gives reason to speak about the second, less publicized task-to promote the spread of Chinese culture and thereby strengthen the influence of Chinese "soft power". To implement this direction, the institutes operate in at least three directions.

First, they are designed to create an atmosphere conducive to learning China and the Chinese language. The resulting appeal of learning Chinese helps arouse interest in Chinese culture in general, including art, cinema, cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle in China.

Second, the institute has an organization called the Chinese Bridge Fund, which sponsors student exchange programs and supports research and development of educational programs about China abroad. This, in turn, increases the international cultural attractiveness of the country and increases the impact of "soft" propaganda on the lower and middle strata of the population.

Third, since 2004. Beijing sent about 2,000 volunteers and teachers working in the field of education and enlightenment to 35 countries around the world, including Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.22 These "diplomats in civilian clothes" also have a certain cultural and social influence in the region.

Some foreign analysts relate the tactics of " soft cultural power "to cultural imperialism, when a great power uses its" cultural commodity " both to win the market and to lay the foundation of its ideological influence. This is how the United States has always acted and continues to act.

But the Chinese political elite believes that at this stage of development, China does not yet have a strong enough cultural potential to have a significant spiritual impact on other countries. They were echoed by the statement attributed to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that China will never become a superpower, because it "does not have an attractive doctrine that it can use to strengthen its own influence and weaken Western states. Today's China exports TV sets, not ideological concepts. " 23
A number of specialists in China are concerned about the"cultural imbalance". They see such an "imbalance" in the fact that Chinese culture is still associated, first of all, with rather specific ancient arts and cultures, such as wushu, Kung Fu, Peking opera, canonical works of literature, etc., in which China is represented as a semi-feudal, semi-colonial country. As a result, largely outdated ideas remain in the minds of foreigners, almost completely replacing the image of a new, modern China.

According to the Chinese authors, a certain adjustment of "soft" propaganda is necessary by comprehensively highlighting the achievements of the current China, forming a positive assessment of the domestic and foreign policy activities of the PRC. It is believed that the contribution to the overall promotion of Chinese culture should, as far as possible, be made by the Chinese themselves, who live abroad and work in various industries or services.

An important role is also assigned to the external design of foreign chinatowns, restaurants, various salons and other public institutions, which can also serve as the "face of ancient and modern China" and, accordingly, have a positive impact on the ideas of foreigners about the current opportunities of the PRC.

* * *

Skilfully using the resources of "soft power" and seeking to strengthen its influence in the region gradually, without loud fanfare, China, which not so long ago was called a "slow giant", is now increasingly gaining a reputation among its neighbors in Southeast Asia as a "mobile dragon".

1 Report of Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to the 17th CPC Congress - www.russian.china.org.cn/china/archive/shiqida/2007-10/25/content_9120930_22.htm

2 http://www.insightbureau.com/insight_articles/FTDO.No16.Zie-gler.Jun07.pdf

3 Written Speech by H.E. Hu Jintao President of the People's Republic of China At the High-level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations' 60th Session. 25.09.2005 - http://www.chinaembassy.hu/hu/xwdtVt213375.htm

4 Ibidem.

5 Guojia zhanliue xinjian (A new subject of attention of the state strategy) / / Liaowan xinwen zhoukan. 2007, N 11. P. 20.

6 http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/18923.html

Drysdale P. 7 Cementing the Achievements of APEC at Shanghai // APEC Economies newsletter, 2001. Vol. 5, N 3, March, p. 1.

8 Were first mentioned in Jiang Zemin's speech to the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee on December 24, 1997.

9 Hu Jintao's speech at the meeting of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee. 30.09.2007 - http://www.chinareviewnews.com 2007 - 09 - 30

Kurlantzick Joshua. 10 China's Charm: Implications of Chinese Soft Power? // Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Policy Brief, N 47 (2006), p. 3.

McCartan Brian. 11 A Helping Chinese Hand // Asia Times Online, 30.04.2009.

12 People's Daily, 19.10.2010.

Economy Elizabeth. 13 China's Rise in Southeast Asia: Implications for Japan and the United States - http://japanfocus.org/-Elizabeth_Economy/1815

14 Seventh China-ASEAN Expo closes in south China, boosting FT A operations // Xinhua, 24.10.2010 - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010 - 10/24/c_13573088.htm

15 ASEAN Statistics. Table 29. Tourist Arrivals in ASEAN by Selected Country/Region. 15.06.2010 - www.aseansec.org/Stat/Table29.pdf

16 http://www.aseansec.org/21346.htm

17 http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/ic/ip/200801/t20080120_29866.html

18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Singapore_Tianjin_Eco-city

19 China ranked third in the ranking of countries for "soft power" after the United States and Japan - http://russian.china.org.cn/china/txt/2009-08/18/content_18357160.htm

20 Huanqiu daily. 30.11.2007.

21 http://www.hanban.edu.cn/

22 www.hanban.edu.cn/en_hanban/content.php

23 This quote, allegedly contained in Thatcher's memoirs, is quoted by Chinese authors as published in the Fenghuang Zhoukan magazine (2006, No. 16). Based on the article "Modest Charm of China" by O. Borokh and A. Lomanoa, Pro et Contra (2007, N 6).

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