Bücher der Reihe Elements in Global China

Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China has deteriorated since July 1997. Yet, for more than 150 years, colonial Hong Kong and China not only coexisted with but benefited each other. This Element shows how the porous boundary between Hong Kong and China defies many assumptions about nationalism, colonialism, and decolonization.

This Element presents an overarching analysis of Chinese visions and practices of soft power. Maria Repnikova's analysis introduces the Chinese theorization of the idea of soft power, as well as its practical implementation across global contexts. The key channels or mechanisms of China's soft power examined include Confucius Institutes, international communication, education and training exchanges, and public diplomacy spectacles. The discussion concludes with suggestions for new directions for the field, drawing on the author's research on Chinese soft power in Africa.