China's Public Diplomacy Activities for Sub-Saharan Africa in the Context of Soft Power Concept

Year 2019, Volume: 11 Issue: 18, 2373 - 2403, 30.06.2019

Elif Yıldırım

https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.565691

Cited By: 1

Abstract

In this study China's public diplomacy activities towards Africa are discussed within the framework of the concept of soft power. In this context, firstly, the concepts of soft power and public diplomacy are explained. Soft power is expounded according to Nye's views, public diplomacy is considered as new public diplomacy within the scope of Cull's classification. After making explanations about China's soft power elements, it is especially emphasized that the economy is a soft power component for China and the public diplomacy activities on the basis of economy are examined. The assessment shows that the economy for China is a source of soft power in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, China’s unique model and the increase in the economy have been attractive element for Sub-Saharan African countries. In the use of the economy as a means of soft power, both state and non-state actors are engaged in various public diplomacy activities. Concordantly, economic relations with the region, investments in the region and foreign aid are considered as important public diplomacy activities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords

Soft Power, Nye, Economy, Public Diplomacy, China

Yumuşak Güç Kavramı Bağlamında Çin’in Sahraaltı Afrika’ya Yönelik Kamu Diplomasisi Faaliyetleri

Abstract

Çalışmada yumuşak güç kavramı çerçevesinde Çin’in Afrika’ya yönelik kamu diplomasisi faaliyetleri ele alınmaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada ilk olarak yumuşak güç ve kamu diplomasisi kavramlarına ilişkin açıklamalara yer verilmektedir. Yumuşak güç Nye’ın görüşleri doğrultusunda açıklanmakta, kamu diplomasisi ise Cull’ın yapmış olduğu sınıflandırma çerçevesinde “yeni kamu diplomasisi” kapsamında ele alınmaktadır. Çin’in yumuşak güç unsurlarına ilişkin açıklamalar yapıldıktan sonra özellikle ekonominin Çin için yumuşak güç unsuru olma özelliği üzerinde durulmakta ve temelinde ekonominin yer aldığı kamu diplomasisi faaliyetleri inceleme konusu yapılmaktadır. Yapılan değerlendirmede, Çin için ekonominin Sahraaltı Afrika’da bir yumuşak güç kaynağı olduğu görülmektedir. Nitekim Çin’in kendine özgü bir modele sahip olması ve ekonomisinde meydana gelen yükseliş Sahraaltı Afrika ülkeleri için cezbedici bir unsur olmaktadır. Ekonominin bir yumuşak güç aracı olarak kullanılmasında ise hem devlet hem de devlet dışı aktörler  çeşitli kamu diplomasisi faaliyetlerinde bulunmaktadır. Bu çerçevede özellikle bölge ile kurulan ekonomik ilişkiler, bölgeye yapılan yatırımlar ve dış yardımlar Çin’in Sahraaltı Afrika’daki önemli kamu diplomasisi faaliyetleri olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. 

Keywords

Yumuşak Güç, Nye, Ekonomi, Kamu Diplomasisi, Çin

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