Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest stories about China’s soft power this year. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Labubu, soft power of a stealthy ‘ugly-cute’ sort, takes on America
The Chinese-made dolls, a playful global megahit, give Beijing an opportunity to make inroads into deep US distrust.
2. ‘Huge shift’: why learning Mandarin is losing its appeal in the West
Available figures suggest enthusiasm for learning Mandarin abroad is waning after years of rapid growth, with analysts pointing to China’s economy and image problems.
3. Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new soft power?
As overseas fans binge on Chinese hit streaming shows, slick productions could boost country’s image on the global stage, experts say.