China Seeks to Boost Soft Power, But Tight Party Control and Regional Tensions Limit Appeal
-
China has soft power from its culture and economic success, but polls show it is not very attractive in Asia, Europe, North America or Australia. Issues with neighbors and tight party control hurt its soft power.
-
On US-China relations, high level engagement is important. Cooperating on issues like climate change and pandemics would show the public the countries can work together.
-
If Trump is reelected, US-China relations are less predictable. A full-scale trade war would be a very bad idea, though Trump has threatened it.
-
China's economic growth prospects are less positive than in the past due to the declining workforce, falling productivity, and insufficient support for private enterprise.
-
While some predict China could militarily take over Taiwan by 2027, invasion over water is very difficult, so as long as the US sticks to its one-China policy, war is unlikely.