US has no reason to doubt Chinese culture

Wang Lili, deputy dean of National Academy of Development and Strategy, and an associate professor at Renmin University of China

Certain US politicians and opinion leaders have increasingly labeled China's cultural programs in and exchanges with the US states as activities aimed at exporting authoritarianism, with Confucius Institutes bearing the brunt. Some of them have even used a concocted concept of "sharp power" to question China's overseas cultural activities.

Reflecting the Cold-War mentality and double standard, it can be seen as part of the China-containment strategy adopted by some Western countries. Voices in favor of containing China and engaging in strategic competition with it have taken hold in the US media and other fields, with some anti-China hawks giving the bugle call for battle. This should explain why Chinese overseas cultural exchange programs, including those through Confucius Institutes, have been targeted.

Yet China urgently needs to conduct public diplomacy and strengthen cultural exchanges with other countries, including the US, as these are major channels to improve soft power and the national image, build trust and promote peace. To achieve this goal, the following measures should be taken.

First, public diplomacy should be diversified to fully mobilize the non-governmental forces, including think tanks, mass media and business enterprises. Second, the importance of Chinese culture should be explained. And third, new media should be wisely and extensively used to better conduct public diplomacy and spread Chinese culture.

The peaceful rise of China is an irreversible trend. So, the US should abandon its prejudices against China and properly evaluate China's public diplomacy and cultural exchange programs. Only through all-embracing cultural exchanges that seek harmony in diversity can we make the world a better, more diverse and colorful place for future generations.