China’s Soft Power Surge: A Strategic Threat as U.S. Influence Recedes

China’s Soft Power Growth: A Bold Vision for Global Cultural Leadership

Context: Under the Trump administration, the United States withdrew from several key international institutions and agreements, notably the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. This strategic retreat created a vacuum in global leadership and aid, into which China has steadily moved, leveraging financial investments, development aid, and diplomatic engagement.

China’s Soft Power Surge: A Strategic Threat as U.S. Influence Recedes

About China’s Expanding Soft Power Amid U.S. Retrenchment

U.S. Withdrawal from Global Commitments:

- - WHO Exit: The U.S. ceased funding and participation in WHO, accusing it of China bias. This significantly affected WHO’s financial and diplomatic landscape.
  - Paris Agreement Exit: The U.S. withdrew from the climate accord, relinquishing leadership on climate diplomacy.
  - USAID Dismantling: The Trump administration defunded major foreign aid programs, including layoffs at USAID and closure of missions worldwide, reducing American presence in the Global South.

China’s Opportunistic Expansion:

Financial Aid and Health Diplomacy:

- - - China pledged $500 million to the WHO and increased its assessed contributions from 6.5% (2015-16) to 15% (2024-25).
    - Provided vaccines and medical supplies (e.g., Sinovac to ASEAN nations).

Debt Diplomacy:

- - - China’s share of global bilateral debt surged to 26% by 2023, compared to just 1% in 2003.
    - The U.S.’s share fell to 4%, down from 36% in 1973.

Climate and Infrastructure:

- - - Promised $50 billion in loans and investments for Africa.
    - Undertaking high-visibility infrastructure projects (e.g., Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway).

Shifting Global Perceptions:

Surveys:

- - - Pew Research (2024): Over 60% in 21 countries believe China significantly influences their economies.
    - Democracy Perception Index (2024): Out of 96 countries, 76 had a more favourable view of China than the U.S.

Decline of U.S. Cultural Soft Power:

- - - Access to U.S. education is decreasing.
    - U.S. political instability and culture wars alienating foreign audiences.
    - China’s growing technological reputation (e.g., EVs, telecom) rivalling U.S. innovation appeal.

Strategic Ramifications:

Multilateral Influence:

- - - China is gaining more influence in multilateral forums like WHO and UNFCCC.
    - Posing as a stable alternative in global governance, especially in the Global South.

Soft Power Realignment:

- - China’s soft power is no longer just state-driven—also buoyed by economic dependency, vaccine diplomacy, and infrastructure aid.
  - U.S. soft power, once dominant via aid, education, media, and civil liberties, is now uneven and perceived as unreliable.

Conclusion

As the U.S. scaled back its global commitments, China filled the leadership vacuum not with military might, but with soft power tools—aid, trade, and diplomacy. This shift underscores a new dimension of strategic competition where influence in global institutions and narratives matters as much as hard power.