The key strategies in China’s political warfare include coordinating nationwide propaganda through the Central Propaganda Department, controlling information via state media, and instilling patriotism in the education system with 15 million students taking college entrance exams annually.
Political Propaganda and Public Opinion Guidance
Firstly, the government, through the Central Propaganda Department, coordinates various levels of propaganda departments nationwide to formulate and implement propaganda policies. These policies involve multiple aspects, including media control, information dissemination, the education system, and cultural transmission.
One of the main techniques is media control. Directly Controlled by the Government – The government has direct control of China’s major media outlets, including China Central Television and Xinhua News Agency, and censors reports to ensure that all information disseminated is in line with national interests. On the internet, control extends to handling all activities of Facebook and Google. China had 829 million internet users as of December 2018, accounting for a double-digit decreasing rate percentage by reaching its peak number over the last few years with an average penetration rate ratio to the Chinese citizens up to 59.6% in accordance with data published on China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) and WTO via Wikipedia.
As far as information is concerned, the government typically follows a positive propaganda + negative guidance strategy. State media outlets publish positive stories about national development and state policies, thus building a favorable image of the motherland. At the 19th National Congress of CCP, held in November 2017, many media highlighted “Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” in their propaganda. Negative guidance distracts public attention by revealing troubling news or critical reports on other countries, thereby undermining focus on home problems.
The education system also plays a key role in shaping public perception. The state draws up a uniform, more patriotic and socialist core value-based curriculum by the Ministry of Education. Every year, 15 million students take the college entrance examination, and tens of millions of young people are directly affected by this learning process. In addition to academic education, inculcating nationalist sentiment is done through government-organized visits, aiming to improve patriotic attunement through direct contact with revolutionary films and other activities.
The strategy of cultural transmission is major as well. Through songs, film and television productions, or literature, the Chinese state sets socialist core values. In 2019, the total box office of China’s film market was as high as 64.266 billion yuan, with one patriotic movie, “My People My Country,” winning more than three billion. Relevant propaganda and guidance for public opinion analysis is like a firearm on the battlefield. The government creates special agencies that collect information from its citizens and other countries, process the mood of society, or trends in public opinion. The Cyberspace Administration of China uses big data analysis to check up on online public opinion, understanding how promptly people are reacting to major events.
International Relations and Diplomatic Tactics
One key initiative is the “Belt and Road” to strengthen economic cooperation with China. Proposed in 2013, it has attracted over 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations. Trade between China and Belt and Road countries exceeded $9.2 trillion by the end of 2021, while direct investment topped more than $140 billion. China’s influence in international organizations continues to grow. In 2018, China was the biggest troop-contributing country among the five permanent members and provided over 2,500 troops to UN peacekeeping operations.
China values its interactions with third-world countries to increase leverage of grants and cooperation. In 2018, China provided a total of $60 billion in foreign aid across infrastructure, healthcare, and agricultural development. Regarding China-U.S. relations, China takes a policy of competition and cooperation coexisting. In response to the U.S. trade sanctions, China combines diplomatic negotiations with stronger independent innovation and technological development. In 2020, China topped the world in patent applications with nearly 684,000 filed, protecting over 45% of patents worldwide. On the issue of the South China Sea, China tends to “defend sovereignty resolutely,” using military and diplomatic force to secure control in the region. China has carried out several military drills in the South China Sea since 2016 and built a number of military infrastructures on the Spratly Group, warning off other claimants and allowing China to have a firmer grip on the region.
Cultural Export and Soft Power Construction
China adopts a systematic approach to cultural export and soft power building, trying everything possible to boost its image and influence abroad. Setting up Confucius Institutes is a significant cultural export strategy. As of the end of 2021, there were more than 540 Confucius Institutes and over 1,170 Confucius Classrooms in 162 countries and regions.Exporting film and television works is also a big strategy of China’s Cultural Overseas Spread. Chinese films have grown in the international market over recent years. One of the highest-grossing Chinese animated films was 2019’s Ne Zha, which topped $700 million worldwide.
Cultural exchanges constitute an indispensable part of the building-up process of Chinese soft power. Thousands of events promoting Chinese culture are held globally each year by the government, in conjunction with NGOs. The CCP also held more than 7,000 cultural exchange events globally in 2018 that drew millions of participants.The translation and promotion of publications are also key to Chinese cultural export. Recently, China has increased its foreign language publications investments and published many books in other countries, including those on Chinese history, culture, or economy. Last year, China released more than 20,000 foreign language books worldwide, highlighting success stories.
Education cooperation and academic exchange have been pivotal in China’s soft power construction. Nearly half a million international students were studying in China by 2020. Through educational collaboration, China expands its soft power circle.Tourism is another sector that constitutes China’s soft power. In 2019, China received more than sixty-five million international tourists, and tourism revenue exceeded one-hundred-twenty-seven billion dollars. Tourism showcases China’s natural scenery, historical culture, and modernization achievements on a larger stage, driving economic development and elevating its international image.