Bid for Regional Hegemony: China's Soft Power Strategy in Asia Pacific

Abstract

China aspires to be a regional hegemon in Asia Pacific region—this requires material as well as social factors This paper focuses on how China is utilizing its soft power to gain social legitimacy in the region. Using Joseph Nye's soft power, it argues that China is using its soft power to develop social acceptance for its new desired role in the region. In this vein, China's Belt Road Initiative (BRI) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are enhancing China's soft power in Asia Pacific region. The paper employs broader definition of soft power and analyzes all non-military tools used by China in Asia Pacific region.