2 A Culture of Diplomacy

Different from propaganda,public diplomacy,and value-oriented diplomacy,cultural diplomacy should be defined as the policy sponsored by government to enhance a country’s long-term interests and soft power by the ways of people-to-people contact,cultural exchange,and thought communication in academic,educational,and cultural activities,based on equality,mutuality,facticity,and long-term target.The newly coined Renwen Diplomacy is a special expression of cultural diplomacy for contemporary China,which embodies the emphasis of harmony and respect of human value,and it still needs to be enriched theoretically and in practice.Cultural diplomacy consists of three levels: thought diplomacy,civilization diplomacy,and artistic diplomacy,among which thought diplomacy is the most efficient and effective.The modern history of international relations shows that the rise and hegemony of the West is based on the successful expansion of Western thoughts.The failures of the various counter-endeavors support this observation from the other side.China should learn from history and try to participate actively into the global discussion of thoughts and values,integrate domestic institutions and policy making procedures,concentrate resources,and promote academic diplomacy,in order to serve its long-term national interest and elevate its international image.