Moscow State University of Civil Engineering
Moscow, Moscow, Russian Federation
The article examines the main constructs of China's "soft power" and reveals that it is based on the values of Confucianism as the foundation of Chinese civilization. It is noted that in the modern world, the tools of "soft power" act over time, and sometimes have a more effective effect than the methods of force. Over the past five years, according to the international Soft Power Index, China has been among the top five countries using Soft Power methods most successfully. The purpose of our research is to identify the value base of Chinese "soft power" and its main constructs that allow China to effectively interact in the international political space. The article applied both general scientific methods, including systematic and comparative approaches, analysis and synthesis, and actively used empirical research methods. The authors conducted a sociological survey of Russian youth aged 18-35 years. The aim of the empirical part of the article was to identify the effectiveness of the impact of Chinese "soft power" in Russia, and above all, on a young audience. More than half of the respondents rate the relations between China and Russia as positive and very positive, and two thirds of the respondents noted a positive attitude towards Chinese citizens. A significant part of the respondents considers the education sector to be the main instrument of Chinese "soft power" in the Russian Federation. At the same time, respondents have an equally positive assessment of both the growth in the number of Chinese students in Russian universities and the education of Russian students in China. Young people also have a positive attitude towards Chinese economic investments, recognizing the mutual benefits and strategic importance of economic ties. Two thirds of the respondents support learning Chinese in schools and universities. More than half of the respondents consider Chinese culture attractive or very attractive and highly appreciate Chinese cultural events taking place in our country. At the same time, some respondents noted that it is necessary to strengthen control over Chinese cultural and educational influence, as this may threaten Russian national identity. The article notes that the peculiarity of the implementation of China's "soft power" distinguishes it favorably from the specifics of the aggressive "soft power" of the West, which is significantly focused on changing the political regimes of competing countries. The results of a sociological survey in Russia have shown that Chinese tools of "soft power" demonstrate their effectiveness, including among young people. Confucianism as its value base remains relevant in the modern world. The theoretical significance of the article is to identify the main parameters of Chinese "soft power" and ways to promote it in foreign countries. The practical significance of the article is to identify the degree and effectiveness of the perception of the Chinese "soft power" by the Russian audience, and primarily by young people. This is particularly important in a situation of urgent geopolitical tension, as a result of which Russia and China are becoming close partners in opposing the West. The article concludes that the prospects for cooperation between Russia and China in the value field of "soft power" look optimistic and open up wide opportunities for further strengthening both bilateral relations and strengthening the international positions of the two largest Eurasian powers.
"soft power", "soft technologies", China, Russia, Confucianism, values, SCO, respondents
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