156 遠景基金會季刊第十二卷第四期 2011 年 10 月 TSSCI 期刊收錄名單
China’s African Policy: An Analysis of Soft
Power and the Tributary System
Chih-wei Yu
(Doctoral Student, Department of Political Science,
National Taiwan University)
Teng-chi Chang
(Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science,
National Taiwan University)
Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to examine and explain the relationship
between the concept of soft power (SP) and the traditional tributary system
(TS) in China’s African policy. In a nutshell, the findings of our research
are as follows: firstly, China has earned African states’ support in various
fields by means of asymmetric exchange between material and non-material
interests. Second, although the context of TS is similar to that of SP, the
operating logic and power options of the former differ from those of the
latter. Thirdly, China’s policy is used to manifest its values, and that is the
TAO
aim of SP. Fourthly, the logic behind China’s exercise of power is influenced
by its TS heritage. In future studies, TS and SP shall be compared and
contrasted further, and the concept of power in traditional Western international
relations will be used to explain China’s foreign policy completely.
Keywords: Tributary System, Soft Power, China’s African Policy,
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Confucius Institute