Soft power and Chinese Internationalism in Africa

Abstract

Soft power in international relations is often associated with democratic states because of their emphasis on openness, inclusion, and shared values. Consequently, authoritarian or totalitarian states are frequently viewed as having limited capacity to project influence through soft power. China’s rise as a major global actor challenges this assumption by combining economic engagement with cultural, educational, and humanitarian initiatives to expand its international influence, particularly in Africa. While existing scholarship has focused heavily on China’s trade and infrastructure partnerships, less attention has been given to the effectiveness of its broader soft power instruments, including Confucius Institutes, media cooperation, scholarships, and humanitarian activities. This paper examines soft power as a central element of China’s engagement with Africa, highlighting its role in strengthening development partnerships and public diplomacy. It also analyses the People-to-People soft power strategy launched in January 2026, which shifts emphasis from state-led economic projects toward direct cultural and social engagement with African societies, illustrating China’s evolving approach to influence.