Is There Soft Power in Confucius Institutes?

In this episode of the China in the World podcast, Paul Haenle speaks with Elizabeth Economy about her new book, “The World According to China.” Dr. Economy’s book challenges the notion that China’s foreign policy ambitions are circumscribed by a set of narrow sovereignty interests. Instead, she explores Xi Jinping’s vision to transform the global order through a combination of soft, sharp, and hard power. The book explores multiple dimensions of Chinese power, including China’s attempt to reshape international institutions, expand its economic influence, modernize its military, and consolidate its dominance in Asia. Although the book describes China’s reemergence on the world stage as nothing short of remarkable, it warns that China faces significant headwinds to achieve its international objectives. Elizabeth Economy is a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (for China). She is on leave from Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, where she is a senior fellow. Dr. Economy’s latest book is “The World According to China,” published in January 2022 via Polity Books.