An Egyptian media delegation was given the chance to closely observe the characteristics of the new Chinese Renaissance. During their tour of several Chinese cities, journalists were briefed on China’s rapid technological and environmental advances and achievements. After a long journey, journalists had many stories to tell. However, one remarkable thing to notice was the quick development in China’s ability to make its story heard.
As a rising power, China has been a victim of campaigns of disinformation and stereotyping, which make it increasingly concerned about its image. Hence, investing in its public diplomacy, broadly understood as a country’s engagement and communication with foreign publics, has become an important part of China’s overall diplomacy.
In this regard, China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) was established in March 2013 as a juridical association. The nationwide non-profit organisation is comprised of experts and scholars, celebrities, and relevant institutions and enterprises in the field of public diplomacy. Since its establishment, CPDA tasked itself to take the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era as it extensively mobilises, co-ordinates and organises social resources and makes the best of people-to-people exchanges.
“By hosting a series of distinctive and productive public diplomacy activities, the CPDA strives to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between China and the rest of the world, and create an international environment conducive to China’s peaceful development and external relations,” an official from the association said.
The CPDA officials indicate that one of its prime tasks is to “explain China’s policies, make China’s voice heard, tell China’s stories well, widely publicise China’s ideas, wisdom, and plans, including a community with a shared future for mankind, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilisation Initiative, improving the international society’s understanding and recognition of China’s development path and philosophy.”
The association is also concerned with promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries and co-operating with Chinese and foreign think tanks and media to make China’s voice heard further and wider.
Since its establishment, CPDA never waned on its way to fulfilling its obligations even in the hardest times. Even during the epidemic period, CPDA held video seminars with the Chinese embassies in Egypt and Kuwait on “Understanding China – China Poverty Alleviation Experience and Inspiration”, the China-Kuwait “Belt and Road Initiative” Digital Economic Co-operation Forum, and jointly held the “Belt and Road Initiative” short video competition with the SASAC News Centre and the Global Times Online, explaining the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and consolidating the social and public support to the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
CPDA also jointly organised the “Travelogue of China” International Media Communication Activity, providing journalists from all over the world with the opportunity to observe and understand China in depth. Under the framework of the Boao Forum for Asia, CPDA co-operated with China Radio International (CRI) to hold Boao Forum for Asia Media Leaders Round-table conferences four 4 times.
With increasing interest in strengthening Sino-Arab relations, CPDA’s officials indicate that attention towards the Arab world will only be strengthened, not weakened. “This work will be in line with continuously strengthening of the Sino-Arab ties.”
In their quest to reach other people and create people-to-people channels, CPDA officials believe that public diplomacy can play a very important role in the battle of truth against falsehood, or facts against lies.
Of course, the image of a nation is crucial in the conduct of international relations and public diplomacy is an important tool in the arsenal of China’s smart power, which opens channels between different peoples to hear each other’s true stories.
