At a conference in Singapore held in October 2007, several academics debated the rise of China. From these conference proceedings, Mingjiang Li edited a volume on Chinese soft power based on Joseph Nye’s theory introduced in 1990. According to Nye, soft power is a strategy for a country to gain its objectives without coercion or payments, but with attraction founded on culture, political values, and legitimate and moral foreign policy.

Journal of Chinese Political Science

Looking critically and carefully at the concept "soft power," this book pulls together the views of leading scholars to show the ways in which China can-and cannot-exercise soft power as it rises in Asia and the world. This is a really smart take on a complicated topic. Highly recommended.

Joseph Fewsmith, Boston University

Soft Power takes on one of the most important questions of this century: What is China's rightful place in the international system? This edited volume brings together essays by highly knowledgeable scholars, addressing key issues of China's emerging soft power. The contributors identify sources and constraints of China's soft power, while showing how China has perceived its soft power and how China's soft power has been perceived by other powers in Asia. It provides a unique angle to look into China's rise and its consequences.

Zheng Yongnian, director, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, director, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore

This is the first systematic and scholarly evaluation of China's soft power-it is an informed and nuanced corrective to previous sensationalistic journalistic assessments. It is recommended reading for all interested in this important dimension of China's rise in world affairs.

David Shambaugh, George Washington University