by Maya Majueran

Soft power is the ability of a country to shape the preferences, decisions and behaviors of other countries or actors in the international arena by leveraging its cultural appeal, values, policies and ideals.

Unlike hard power, which relies on military force, economic prowess and financial incentives, soft power operates through attraction and persuasion, fostering goodwill and mutual understanding without resorting to coercion.

In February, the sixth annual Global Soft Power Index by Brand Finance showed that China has reached its highest-ever ranking, overtaking the United Kingdom for second place.

China has demonstrated significant growth across six of the eight soft power pillars and two-thirds of the measured nation brand attributes. Its soft power partly stems from its development model, which is based on the principles of win-win cooperation and mutual benefit. China believes that development should not be limited to a few countries but should be shared among all. Importantly, China does not exploit other countries' resources or force them to compromise their sovereignty.

Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, China has significantly enhanced its role in global economic development while solidifying its reputation as a cooperative and reliable partner in global development efforts.

China's trio of global initiatives -- the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) -- reflects its vision of a more inclusive, equitable and harmonious world order. The GDI focuses on sustainable development and infrastructure, the GSI promotes mutual trust and collective security, and the GCI advocates cultural exchange and mutual respect among civilizations.

By actively promoting these initiatives in multilateral forums, China is positioning itself as a responsible global leader committed to addressing shared challenges and fostering positive global development and cooperation. These initiatives resonate with many developing countries, and represent a significant effort to improve global governance and promote a more equitable and harmonious international order.

In addition, Chinese foreign policy goals are rooted in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. China's vision of a fair and balanced international system has significantly enhanced its global influence, particularly among Global South countries which were historically marginalized in global governance.

China's policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries has further enhanced its reputation, particularly in contrast to some Western nations. Additionally, China refrains from lecturing others, unlike some Western countries that frequently adopt a prescriptive approach.

China advocates for a multipolar world order and a reformed international financial system, emphasizing the need for a fair and balanced global governance structure. Such a system should be inclusive, allowing all nations to participate equally in decision-making processes rather than being controlled by a few dominant powers.

By promoting shared prosperity, sustainable development and inclusive governance, China is reshaping global perceptions and positioning itself as a responsible major country in the international community. While challenges remain, China's approach offers a compelling alternative to traditional power dynamics, and contributes to fostering a more interconnected and cooperative world order.

Editor's note: Maya Majueran currently serves as a director of BRISL, an independent and pioneering Sri Lankan-led organization with strong expertise in BRI advice and support.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.