China's sharp power through TikTok : A case study of how China can use sharp power through TikTok

Abstract: This study develops a theoretical framework for the concept of sharp power and applies it on the case of TikTok to gain an understanding of how China can use sharp power through TikTok. The first research question refers to how sharp power can be conceptualized and what its key components are. The second question refers to what extent China uses sharp power through TikTok. This study used a case study as a method to answer the research questions. The key components of sharp power are manipulation, censorship, propaganda, control, and influence. The result shows that China has the ability to use TikTok in its exercise of political power, meaning that they can manipulate, censor, propagate, control, and influence through the app if they want to. One of the conclusions is that the connection between the Chinese government and TikTok is clear, but it was difficult to show a direct link based on the key components of sharp power applied to the empirical material.