Literature in China’s Soft Power Strategy since 2012

Abstract

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, soft power has been promoted as a key component in the country’s foreign policy and national image-building strategy. China has implemented a comprehensive strategy to enhance its soft power in the process of becoming a global power. Within this strategy, literature has been identified as a particularly significant tool to “tell China’s story well” and to project China’s cultural identity and national image to the world. This article analyzes how China has utilized literature in its strategy of advancing soft power since 2012, focusing on state policies, publishing - translation activities and the globalizing trends of online literature and science fiction. Furthermore, the article evaluates the prospects and challenges associated with realizing the goal of spreading China’s soft power through literature.