02nd September 2016 18:09:35 Hours
Giving entirely a new perspective in regard to the concept, ‘soft power’ and its pervading influence across the Asian continent, HE Yi Xianliang, Ambassador for People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka emphasized that China expects peace to prevail in Asia and wants closer relationships with all the countries.
He outlined several perspectives in the panel discussion, conducted at Day 2 Session of the Colombo Defence Seminar - 2016 sessions at the BMICH on Friday (2), headed by Major General Greg Bilton, Deputy Commanding General, US Army Pacific.
“It’s a win-win cooperation that China expects and it is the guiding philosophy China depends on. The vision of building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation has received high appreciation and warm response from the international community,” he said so talking on the topic, ‘Soft Power Strategies in Addressing Critical Global Issues’ as one of the panelists in the Session 1.
As the biggest troop sending country to the UN, he quipped that it could also be regarded as another form of public diplomacy where ‘soft power’ works at its best.
“Politically, we are exploring a new path for state-to-state relations, committed to having dialogue rather than confrontation and forming partnership rather than alliance, Economically, we are forging a new framework for inclusive development, On the security front, we have actively contributed our ideas to safeguarding international and regional security, On the cultural front, we have worked hard to boost exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations,” he added.
Following are the guidelines he elaborated during his presentation;
1. What is soft power?
- A power of making others to follow your footsteps willingly
- The philosophy or policy of diplomacy advocated and insisted by one country and recognized and accepted by others
2. What is the soft power of China in dealing with international relationship?
It is “building a new type of international relations featuring Win-Win Cooperation”, the important guiding philosophy for China’s Diplomacy.
(1) It is a vision that takes a community of shared future as the common goal in dealing with international relations.
(2) It is a vision that takes common interests as the important foundation for dealing with international relations.
(3) Seeking win-win outcome is our basic principle in dealing with international relations.
(4) Cooperation is our preferred approach to dealing with international relations.
3. How does China use its soft power?
China not only advocates but also actively pursues the new type of international relations.
(1) Politically, we are exploring a new path for state-to-state relations, committed to having dialogue rather than confrontation and forming partnership rather than alliance.
(2) Economically, we are forging a new framework for inclusive development.
(3) On the security front, we have actively contributed our ideas to safeguarding international and regional security.
(4) On the cultural front, we have worked hard to boost exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations.
The vision of building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation has received high appreciation and warm response from the international community.
An old Chinese saying, “Great truth meets the aspiration of all.”
