China has been increasingly attractive to other countries in recent years and 
the idea of China's peaceful rise is impressive, a famous U.S. scholar told 
Xinhua in an interview. 
 
 
   Joseph Nye. 
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In other words, "China's soft power has 
been increasing in recent years, " said Joseph Nye, the creator of the political 
notion of "soft power" and a leading professor for international relations at 
Harvard University. 
In his theory, "soft power is the ability to get what you want through 
attraction rather than coercion." 
"I think it is a wise policy for China to increase its soft power. For 
example, the recent poll taken by the BBC has shown that a number of countries 
that are saying they are finding China more attractive, " said Nye. 
"China's successful economy makes it attractive, and Chinese culture, 
traditional culture, is attractive. And China has pursued a series of policies 
which have been attractive to other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia," 
he added. 
Nye also said the fact that a lot of people are learning the Chinese language 
around the world, "helps to expand China's soft power." 
The scholar said he don't think most Americans will consider China's 
increasing "soft power" as a threat, "because it is possible for Chinese soft 
power and American soft power both to increase. They don't necessarily have to 
oppose each other." 
"Within the U.S. government, I think there is awareness that China's soft 
power has been increasing. I think some people may worry about this and others 
do not. It is a mixed response, " he said. 
Nye noted that although some people in the U.S. government are worried about 
the future of Chinese power and how it will be exercised, "the idea of peaceful 
rise of Chinese power is also impressive." 
"I think that a number of American officials believe that China can have 
peaceful rise, and the idea of peaceful rise helps to make a more positive 
impression of China and that helps Chinese soft power, " he said. 
"China has been doing a good job of this. By emphasizing Chinese culture and 
policies which are peaceful that China has a reassuring affect on Americans as 
well as on other countries," said Nye. 
In contrast, "I think the U.S. is paying too much attention to its hard 
power, as you see in the case of Iraq. It is not paying enough attention to its 
soft power. It's important to pay attention to both," he added. 
Recalling his visit to Shanghai in May, the scholar said he "was very 
positively impressed that China has made very good progress." 
"I think China has been improving its soft power, its ability to attract 
others." 
On future trends of China- U.S. relations, Nye said he is optimistic. 
"I think they have more to gain by cooperation and avoiding conflict," he 
said.