Former US Secretary of State Says China is Filling the US Gap in Africa
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on December 07 that the United States has reduced its focus on "soft power" in foreign policy, and China is filling this gap, which is particularly evident on the African continent.
While speaking at the 2025 Doha Forum, Hillary pointed out: "We have many tools in our (foreign policy) toolbox, including developing soft power - unfortunately, we have decided not to prioritize it - as well as the ways we try to influence and persuade others. China is filling this gap, especially in Africa."
In March this year, US renowned political scholar and proponent of the concept of "soft power," Joseph Nye, wrote an article criticizing President Trump's policies, stating that they are not helpful in enhancing America's global influence. According to Nye's theory, power is not only built on military strength and economic coercion, but can also be achieved through attraction; in the long run, it is often "soft power" that wins.
Nye believes that Trump "does not understand what soft power is." In his article, he also listed examples of China's soft power, stating that it is "no less than that of the United States" in places like Africa. Nye pointed out that currently, China's appeal still lags behind that of the United States in Asia, but China may soon take over the space left by the United States.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850862933678080/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.