China's soft power in Southeast Asia: Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping eras

Soft power has been an important element of Chinese foreign policy since Hu Jintao's emphasis at the 17th National People's Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 2007 to promote Chinese culture as China's soft power. The Chinese culture, language, economic development model, transnational investments and aid, radio-television broadcasts and initiatives to increase its international image are important elements of China's soft power. Soft power policies towards Southeast Asia, which began during the Hu era, continued in the era of his predecessor, Xi Jinping, with further enrichment. At this point, the Belt and Road Initiative has become an initiative where China can increase its economic power, which is an important soft power source, to increase its attractiveness and effectiveness in the region through foreign direct investment, official aid, loans and donations. However, the government's interference in personal life with restriction of internet and social media usage, problems with personal freedoms within the state, media censorships, state propaganda, historical distrust between China and the states of the region, border disputes especially in the South China Sea and the uncertainty of the future of the Belt and Road Initiative are the most important obstacles for China to consolidate its soft power. This thesis examines China's perception of soft power during the presidencies of Hu and Xi, its soft power resources and policies and the place of soft power in its relations with the last Southeast Asian countries. Key Words: Soft power, China, Southeast Asia, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping