The Use of Soft Power in China's Policy Towards South Korea from Unilateral Visa Waivers

Soft power helps countries to enhance their international influence in the era of globalisation through non-hard means such as culture, values and education. It not only enhances a country's capacity for diplomatic cooperation and promotes understanding and friendship among different countries, but also attracts outstanding talents from around the world and promotes scientific and technological innovation and economic development. By shaping a positive national image and reputation, soft power enables a country to occupy a favourable position in international affairs and promote the resolution of global issues, thereby enhancing its overall competitiveness. This study uses China's unilateral visa waiver for South Korea as a case study to explore China's use of soft power tools to adjust its policy towards South Korea. At the international level, China urgently needs to draw South Korea in to maintain the strategic balance in Northeast Asia against the backdrop of intensifying competition between China and the United States; domestically, China urgently needs to boost domestic demand, stimulate consumption, and boost its economy in the aftermath of the pandemic. Although this initiative can help improve China's international image, there is also the risk of facing the impact of South Korea's reverse soft power.