We take a thorough look at the nature of soft power, how it can be used, and whether or not a country truly needs it to explore China's soft power deficit and what can be done to fix it. While China does have SOME soft power, arguably its lack of the charm of its neighbours and rivals means its culture and ideology is often met with suspicion or outright rejection. This can lead to difficulties when interacting on the global stage, for example when it comes to pandemic management, border relations, or the promotion of language and culture. Do small wins like the success of the video game Black myth: Wukong present a way out for China's cultural tzars? Or is the hand of the state just too heavy to allow the organic spread of a rich cultural heritage that has the potential to bring China into a new era of prestige and attractiveness?

Chapters 
(00:00) Introduction - South Korea's soft power boom
(04:50) What is soft power?
(17:22) How soft power can be used and the failure of Confucius Institutes
(26:52) Does China need or want soft power?
(41:25) Consequences of China's lack of soft power
(47:50) Missed soft power opportunities
(52:45) Black Myth: Wukong and a potential new era of Chinese soft power

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