“Soft power” as a foreign policy tool: role in Russia and China relations with Africa

Author:

Tatiana Deych

Abstract:

The subject of research is ‘soft power’ as the instrument of foreign policy. The ‘soft power’ concept has not received enough attention. The methods of analysis permit the author to identify the role of ‘soft power’ tools in forming of positive image of the country. After the Cold War, the new, “non-violent” tools of foreign policy emerged in international relations. Their purpose for the country is to receive advantages in relations with other countries by “attraction” without forcing. The example of “soft power” effective using is China’s policy in Africa; its purpose is to counteract ‘China’s menace’ theory and to improve China’s image. The “soft power” used actively as a tool in the Soviet Union’ African policy and today it takes advantage of the Russian diplomacy again. We submit for consideration the implementation of “soft power” concept both in China’ and Russia’ African politics, in the fields of education, healthcare, cultural and scientific relations. The author comes to conclusion: Beijing actively uses the means of ‘soft power’ to create the positive image of China in Africa as a friendly country, ready to provide assistance and support to Africans. ‘Soft power’ is a significant instrument for implementation of foreign policy objectives and Russia must use it more actively, particularly in the African countries.

Keywords:

‘soft power’, USSR, Russia, China, politics, cultural and scientific ties, education, healthcare.

References:

Abramova I.O., Fituni L.L. (2016) «Afrikanskaya delovaya initsiativa» – prakticheskiy shag k aktivnomu vzaimodeystviyu Rossii i Afriki [“African Business Initiative” – a practical step towards active interaction be-tween Russia and Africa] // Aziya i Afrika segodnya. [Asia and Africa today]… № 9 (710). P. 2-5.
Al Jazzeera (2015). Africa: China Pledges $60 Billion to African Development. Doha. Available at: allafrica.com/stories/201512050194.html
Alekseeva N. (2016) Rossija idet v Afriku.[Russia goes to Africa]. May 13. 2016. rusplt.ru/society/rossiya-africa-vlyanie-24904.html.
Andrey Bokarev o resultatah vklada RF v sodejstvije meszdunarodnomu rasvitiyu. Oficialnyj sait Ministerstva finansov. Dviszenije protiv bednosti 2009-2010 [Andrey Bokarev about the results of Russian Federation contribution in assistance for international development. Ministry of Finances official site. Movement against poverty 2009-2010]– http://www.minfin.ru/ru/press/speech/index.php&d4= 20060
Brautigam D. (2009) The Dragon’s Gift. The Real Story of China in Africa. Oxford University Press. 2009. P.316.
China Awards model Ebola fighters. Xinhua News Agency, on Nov.25, 2015– www.globalpost.com/article/6694070/2015/11/25 china-awards-model-ebola-fighters
Final Report of the International Parliamentary Conference “Russia-Africa: Horizons of Cooperation”. 15-16 June 2010. UNIDO, June 21, 2010. www.unido.ru/eng/news_en/russia_africa
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Beijing). Africa. Full Text – China-Africa Economic and Trade Co-operation (2013). Information office of the State Council. Beijing, August 2013.
Kagwanja Ch. China: Forging friendship and cooperation in Kenya. FOCAC 6. Africa-China Progressing Together. Cape Town. Dec. 15, 2015.P.12.
Kitaj poobeshal podderzsku afikanskim stranam v vosstanovleniji posle Eboly // Russian.News.Cn.July 23, 2015. China promised African countries the support in recovering after Ebola. Russian.News. Cn. July 23, 2015.
Kitaj ukrepljaet oshenija druszby I sotrudnichestva so stranami Afriki // RusChina. [China is strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation with African countries // RusChina]. 27.12.2005 – http://ru.ruschina.net/news/page 13046/page 16033.
Klomegah, K. (2016) Russia struggles to regain influence in Africa. Russia beyond the Headlines. Sept. 23, 2016– rbth.com/opinion/2016/091/22/Russia-struggles-to-regain-influence-in-africa
Latukhina K. (2016) President Gvineji predlozil Rossii ‘vhod v Africu // Rossijskaja gazeta. [President of Guinea proposed Russia “to come into Africa” // Russian Newspaper]. 16.06.2016. RG.RU. PMEF https: // rg.ru/2016/06/16/president-gvinei-predlozhil-rossii-vhod-v-africu/
Mekenzie D. (2012) Chinese media make inroads into Africa // CNN. Sept. 5. 2012– http:// edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/business/china-africa-cctv-media/index.htm
Official visits of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev to a number of African States. Press-Release. July 2nd 2009.– http://www.rusembassy/ca/ru/node/193
Olaniran F. (2013) On the growing ties between China and Zimbabwe. Celebrating progress Africa – http://www.cp-africa com/2013/03/03/china-and-zimbabwe
Polikanov D., Abramova I. (2003). Africa and ICT: A Chance for Breakthrough? // Information Communication and Society. 6, 1: 42-56.
Pretoria News. Pretoria. December 4, 2015.
Rossijsko-afrikanskije otnoshenija v uslovijah globalizatsii. Otv.red. T.L.Deych, E.N.Korendyasov. M. In-stitut Afriki RAN. [Russian-African relations in the conditions of globalization. Editors: T.Deych, E..Korendyasov. Moscow, Institute for African Studies RAS, 2009].
Russia Today to launch a French-language news channel in Africa. Oct.19, 2015– www.stopfake.org/en/russia-today-to-launch-a-french-language-news-channel-in-Africa
Seasons of culture, Russia– South African Republic, 2016-2017. Concerts of arts of the South African Republic. -1.12.2016-culturalforum.ru/en/program/917
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (2015). Johannesburg Action Plan (2016-2018). DOI= www.focac.org/eng/ltda/dwijbzijhys1/t1327961.htm
The goal of ‘people to people’ diplomacy. FOCAC 6. Africa-China Progressing Together. Cape Town. December 15, 2015.P.11.
V poiskah novyh druzej Lavrov otpravliaetsa v Afriku // Ekonomicheskije izvestija. [In search of the new friends Lavrov goes to Africa] // Economic news. 19.09.2014. news.izvestia.com/news/abroad/full/254-vpoiskah-novyh-druzej
Zhenmin zsibao on-line. 28.12. 2011 http://russian.people.com. cn/ 31520/7690028.html/ http://russian.people.com. cn/ 31520/7690028.html/