China’s use of soft- and hard power under the leadership of Xi Jinping

Abstract: Under the leadership of Xi Jinping China has become even more engaged with the world. Some examples of the increased engagement are China’s initiating of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, as well as the joining of the International Monetary Fund and the engagement in international peacekeeping operations. Some researchers are arguing that this is due to an increased interest for soft power, however, other researchers argue that China has started using more coercive measures in the last few years. This paper investigates China’s use of soft- and hard power in its bilateral relations. This is done through a comparative case study where Chinas use of power towards India and Pakistan is analysed during the years 2013-2021 to answer the questions, is China’s employment of soft- and hard power similar in all its relations? And has there been any change of soft- and hard power use during this time period? The result of this paper demonstrates that there is a difference in how China uses soft- and hard power in its foreign relations. Further, it has also shown that China’s behaviour toward India has changed from a behaviour which emphasize soft power to a behaviour which emphasizes hard power. Hence, this study has also found that there has been a change in China’s soft- and hard power use over time, and that China seem to have increased its use of hard power tools.