The Exertion and Role of China’s Public Diplomacy for Europe under the Background of “One Belt, One Road” Construction Zhenyan Xi Sichuan University 6th Workshop on EU-Asia Relations in Global Politics “EU-Asian Sustainable Management” The European Union Centre at National Taiwan University Taipei 15-16 March 2017

Introduction “One Belt, One Road”, Xi Jinping in 2013, a new era of international cooperation. It connects China and Europe across Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Will create a new era of China-EU relation.

It is well known: discrepancies between China and Europe. It is rarely mentioned: how public diplomacy strategy could minimize the friction between China and Europe and enhance political mutual trust, thus to achieve mutual benefits and realize the win-win cooperation. How to promote the construction of public diplomacy, especially what China should do to strengthen political communication and cultural exchange?

The Role of Public Diplomacy in China-Europe “OBOR” Construction Influence foreign nationals and the public with values, policies and actions of their governments Creates cooperation and interaction Serves both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy

China’s Way to Employ its Public Diplomacy in Europe The news media should give more attention to China-EU relations, to promote a more positive atmosphere, and to enhance mutual political trust. Made great progress since the 1990s: international broadcasters and television channels/ Confucius Institutes/“Chinese Culture Year” exhibitions But problems and deficiencies remain: Chinese officials/Chinese people

Ways to address these deficiencies: perception, politics and economy Ideologically, Understand and promote mutual understanding on European and Chinese Values Politically, Make Europeans understand China’s policies, practices, and national conditions Economically, dispel friction and misunderstandings in China-EU economic and trade cooperation Encourage the Social Sector and NGOs to Communicate with Europeans Support Communication between the Chinese and European Mainstream Media

Challenges of China’s Public Diplomacy for Europe Historical encounters Nature of the two political systems Interests in the international system

Europe Democracy, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights

China Sovereign rights ahead of individual rights Emphasizes the sovereign independence Prioritizes economic development

Challenges: 1. A great gap between the goals of China’s public diplomacy for the EU and the European expectation for China 2. Deviation between China’s method of public diplomacy for Europe and the way that Europeans get used to Greek thought 3. Subject to the structural problems in China-EU relations. 4. Should be established on the communication and interaction between the publics

Conclusion “Harmony without sameness”—Wen Jiabao “Seeking common ground while shelving differences.”—Zhou En’lai Three special missions: 1. To convince Europe to willingly accept China’s peaceful development and rise 2. To express China itself 3. To enlighten the world “Treading different paths that lead to the same destination.”

Thank you!