China's Cultural Diplomacy as a Tool to Delegitimize the United States' Buck-Passing System in East Asia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor in Political Science, Political Sciences Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 MA student in International Relations, Political Sciences Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22099/ijas.2024.50939.1011

Abstract

Due to the growth of China as an influential power at the regional and international levels, a kind of "threat perception" has formed around this country. In response to this perceived threat, the United States has used the strategy of "buck-passing" to curb China's power. On the other hand, China has used "cultural diplomacy" as its main tool to reduce this perception of threat and counter the American strategy. This article examines how China's cultural diplomacy works in dealing with the American buck-passing system. Based on the descriptive-explanatory approach and the theoretical framework of offensive realism, the findings of this research show that China, through cultural diplomacy— including the doctrine of peaceful emergence, peripheral diplomacy, promoting Chinese language and culture through the Confucius Institute, and creating new concepts in foreign policy— is trying to neutralize and delegitimize America's buck-passing strategy and reduce the threats directed towards itself.

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Iranian Journal of Asian Studies
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
October 2024
Pages 277-308

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