American declinists, who believe that the United States's ability to coerce or persuade other states is on the wane, often point to China's so-called " charm offensive" -- its financial and political support of developing countries regardless of ideology or political repression -- as an example of how a rising power effectively leverages " soft power" over other, smaller powers. Here's how a recent report on grand strategy from the center-left Center for a New American Security puts it: "In Asia, a rising China's charm offensive is wooing many countries into a tighter embrace while the United States sees its influence on the decline." Interesting theory. It's also bunk. The strategic situation in Asia is far more complex than a rising China and a declining United States. A host of small, medium, and large powers are constantly re-evaluating their status and their relationships with each other. The United States maintains steadfast alliances with major powers like Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The smaller powers consistently hedge against Chinese ambitions by seeking closer ties to America. Daniel Twining:
Asian leaders broadly seek closer relations with Washington, scold their U.S. counterparts for neglecting the region, are deeply insecure about any hint of an American pullback, and increasingly identify democratic political values as the basis for closer cooperation with America and each other. Popular majorities in countries as diverse as Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and Vietnam hold the United States in high regard. Even China cultivates America as its most important external partner, while North Korea's totalitarian ruler covets a special relationship with Washington and has developed nuclear weapons in a perverse effort to secure it.
Today brings more evidence that China's "charm offensive" may offend more than it charms. A new report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs concludes: "In terms of soft power in Asia -- the ability to wield influence by indirect, nonmilitary means, whether by persuasion or attraction -- China ranks well below the United States in the estimation of most of the Asians surveyed."