China’s Public Diplomacy at the Present Stage

The purpose of the research. The article examines the current state of public diplomacy research in China. The subject, object, method and purpose of public diplomacy are analyzed. As a resource of national soft power, culture is an important means of implementing public diplomacy. In the article, we analyze the specific Chinese practice of implementing public diplomacy from the point of view of cultural public diplomacy. Results. As a result of the conducted research, the author comes to the conclusion that the status of public diplomacy in Chinese national diplomacy has increased rapidly. First, with regard to the current state of research, in recent years, the research of Chinese scientists in the field of public diplomacy has focused more on applied research than on theoretical ones, such as the role of public diplomacy in shaping the country’s image and strengthening its soft power. Secondly, with regard to the definition of public diplomacy, Chinese scientists hold different views on the subject, object and method of public diplomacy, but on the purpose of public diplomacy, Chinese scientists believe that public diplomacy, like other types of traditional diplomacy, is aimed at protecting and strengthening national interests. Thirdly, humanitarian exchanges have always been an important part of Xi Jinping’s socialist diplomatic thought with Chinese specifics in the new era and an important pillar of Chinese diplomacy. China has enriched Chinese public diplomacy with the opening of Confucius institutes, exchanges, large-scale cultural events and large-scale sports events, promoted the popularization of Chinese culture, strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation with the peoples of other countries and achieved good results.