CHINESE “SOFT POWER” CONCEPT: A HISTORICAL EXCURSUS

The article examines the issues of China’s “soft power” in a historical excursus. Currently, the elements of the “soft power” concept are used by a large number of countries to achieve their foreign policy goals. For the first time the task of using culture in foreign policy and diplomacy was announced in China in 2004. It was entitled “The promotion of Chinese culture abroad and increasing its international influence.” In 2011, a specific goal was formulated in this field – to build a powerful cultural state. Since then, China has significantly expanded the geography of its “soft power”. China actively implements “soft power” through the development of economic contacts, diplomacy, international and regional institutions and other mechanisms.