Soft Power and the Peaceful Rise of China in South East Asia

The main aim of this article is to investigate the concept and use of soft power by China. Therefore, the main question of this article concerns the means by which China expands its influence and power in Southeast Asia. In an attempt to answer the research question, the hypothesis of the article is that China, by relying on its important sources of power (hard power and soft power), that is, the expansion of economic power (in hard power field), the spread of Chinese culture, public diplomacy and foreign policy (in the realm of soft power), has attempted to compete with regional and trans-regional powers and it has won the regional balance. In this regard, this country is expanding and promoting the Chineseculture through the media and its reliance on economic power. The role of Chinese Active diplomacy and foreign policy is vital in achieving these goals. Over the last two decades, the Chinese diplomacy has been guided by the concept of "peaceful rise" with more emphasis on economy and has focused on soft power indices.