Chinese Soft Power Approaches towards Pakistan: An Analysis of Socio, Economic and Political Impacts

Abstract

Pakistan has been facing imminent socio-economic, political and diplomatic challenges since 2001. The on-going war on terror has cost losses of infrastructure in the country amounting to $60 billion. China has employed its own version of soft power ranging from diplomatic support on crucial issues to foreign aid and investment, cultural exchanges and higher education opportunities for Pakistani youth. Among them, one of the most important projects is the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a total investment of $62 billion. Against this backdrop, this study intends to highlight how China is projecting its soft power in Pakistan and to what extent Chinese soft power could heal Pakistan’s socio, economic, political and diplomatic disasters. This study reveals that Chinese soft power strategies have left far higher imprints on Pakistan through diplomatic support, investment, and provision of scholarships.

Keywords

• china-pakistan relations
• soft power
• higher education exchanges
• confucius institutes
• cpec