Reference Message Network reported on May 20 that the website of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post published an article titled "By eroding America's soft power, Trump is handing over the playing field to China" on May 18. The author is Huang Yanzhong, professor at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations of Seton Hall University. The following are excerpts from the article: On the grand stage of international politics, soft power has long been considered the dazzling gem on the crown of American influence. However, since President Trump returned to the White House, the balance of international attractiveness has clearly tilted in favor of Beijing. Domestically, the actions of the U.S. government have severely damaged America's soft power reserves. Its attacks on academic freedom and termination of student visas have weakened the appeal of American higher education. Cutting federal research funding—such as the funding for the National Institutes of Health—threatens America's technological leadership. A recent survey by Nature magazine of American scientists revealed a shocking finding: 75% of respondents are considering relocation under unstable funding conditions—a potential brain drain that could seriously harm America's ability to attract and retain talent. Trump prioritized loyalty over expertise in staffing his administration and attempted to make news reports submit to his will, tarnishing the image of American democracy. Internationally, the government accelerated the decline of American soft power through "short-sighted transactionalism" and an aggressive "America First" policy. The U.S. withdrawal from multilateral frameworks—including the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement—has undermined its reputation as a cooperative leader. Trump's policies systematically destroyed tools of American soft power, with institutions like USAID and Voice of America facing threats of funding cuts or complete dissolution. The government also adopted hostile diplomatic postures—such as Trump's bizarre intimidation of Denmark over Greenland. Unlike the Trump administration's disregard for soft power, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China strengthened its influence through targeted diplomatic initiatives. In recent years, Beijing has launched three major projects—the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative—with the aim of projecting soft power through promoting economic cooperation, security partnerships, and civilizational dialogue. Driven by infrastructure investment and diplomatic engagement, middle-income countries in the global South have shown a notably positive attitude toward China. This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Trump's return has boosted China's charm offensive. Coupled with the narrowing technology gap—especially China's breakthroughs in artificial intelligence—Trump's policies may inadvertently enhance China's appeal, not only in the global South but also among American elites seeking innovation and stability. By ignoring soft power—as evidenced by its reduced global engagement and wavering commitment to democratic norms—Washington may inadvertently hand over leadership in this significant competition for attractiveness to Beijing. (Translated by Ge Xuelai) Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506403810345075219/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the views of the author. Please express your opinions by clicking the "Agree/Disagree" buttons below.