A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE ROLE OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IN PAKISTAN-CHINA RELATIONS

Abstract

Abstract
Public diplomacy (PD) promotes inter-state relations by means of enhanced communication, dialogue, and consensus-building amongst the general publics, thus acting as an effective tool of soft power. However, it is not a central deterministic factor in all relationships; some ties are long lasting even when public diplomacy is not very effective e.g. Pakistan-China relations. This study rationally disproves the assertion that China’s influence in Pakistan is a weak one merely because it lags in terms of public diplomacy. It has been argued instead that instruments of influence may vary according to varying identities and contexts and so, generalizations are not very plausible. The significance of public diplomacy in PakistanChina relations has increased only during the last couple of decades. However, with megaprojects like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the pipeline, it has a bigger role to play in the time ahead – hence the need for focused efforts to this end