Esports diplomacy – China’s soft power building in the digital era

IF 1.9 Q3 MANAGEMENT

Managing Sport and Leisure Pub Date : 2023-05-04 DOI:10.1080/23750472.2022.2054853

Donna Wong, Y. Meng-Lewis

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引用次数: 5

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rationale/Purpose: This study examines how China’s status as a global leader in esports reflects its pursuit of global ascendancy, through exercising soft power attained from esports diplomacy as a power resource. Design/Methodology/Approach: Research for this study was based on textual analysis where public discourse on esports in China is examined. We then proposed an esports diplomacy model and examined how esports is used to achieve diplomatic outcomes for China. Findings: Soft power was an important way forward for China pursuit of global power status. Esports is utilised as resources to engage, inform and create a favourable image of China among foreign publics and countries. The explicit and implicit outcomes generated through esports diplomacy, provided resources for this soft power quest. Practical Implications: This study encourages thinking on how esports can be used as a means to achieve diplomatic outcomes for governments and regimes, rather than a mere economic and/or entertainment tool for financial gains. Research Contribution: Besides contributing to and updating research on China’s esports landscape, this study also answer calls for academic research to expand the discourse on esports diplomacy. Theoretically, our research adds on the existing knowledge on sports diplomacy and soft power through the exploration of key elements of our proposed esports diplomacy model.

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电子竞技外交——数字时代的中国软实力建设

摘要理由/目的：本研究考察了中国作为全球电子竞技领导者的地位如何通过行使电子竞技外交作为一种权力资源所获得的软实力来反映其对全球优势的追求。设计/方法/方法：本研究的研究基于文本分析，考察了中国电子竞技的公共话语。然后，我们提出了一个电子竞技外交模式，并研究了如何利用电子竞技为中国实现外交成果。研究结果：软实力是中国追求全球大国地位的重要途径。电子竞技被用作吸引、宣传中国并在外国公众和国家中创造有利形象的资源。电子竞技外交产生的显性和隐性结果为这种软实力追求提供了资源。实际意义：这项研究鼓励人们思考如何将电子竞技作为政府和政权实现外交成果的一种手段，而不仅仅是一种获取经济利益的经济和/或娱乐工具。研究贡献：本研究除了为中国电子竞技领域的研究做出贡献和更新外，还回应了学术研究拓展电子竞技外交话语的呼吁。从理论上讲，我们的研究通过探索我们提出的电子竞技外交模式的关键要素，增加了现有的体育外交和软实力知识。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Managing Sport and Leisure MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Managing Sport and Leisure is a refereed journal that publishes high quality research articles to inform and stimulate discussions relevant to sport and leisure management globally. The journal is committed to publishing research that advances understanding of the practice of sport and leisure management in the public, voluntary and commercial sectors, internationally. It will appeal to anyone with a serious interest in contemporary sport and leisure management issues, including academics, managers, consultants, politicians and students. One of the key objectives of the journal is to provide a high level forum for communication between academics and practitioners of sport and leisure. Therefore Managing Sport and Leisure aims to be contemporary, integrated and, most importantly, relevant to practitioner training. Contributions are welcome and expected from both academics and practitioners throughout the international sport and leisure management community. In addition, the journal welcomes submissions from those investigating new and innovative areas of research and practice in sport and leisure management.