From Theory to Practice: China’s Hybrid Approach to Soft Power - Maria Repnikova

In this interview by Mapping Global China, we speak with Maria Repnikova, Associate Professor at Georgia State University and lead of the Soft Power research group.

Recorded during the March 2026 workshop at the University of Oxford, the conversation brings insights from Repnikova’s work on soft power, challenging the classical definition developed by Joseph Nye.

The interview highlights several key themes: 

• China’s approach to soft power as a hybrid and pragmatic model, combining culture, economic incentives, technology, and infrastructure.
• The strategic importance of Africa as a key arena for experimenting with and scaling China’s global influence
• The role of values, governance, and political narratives in shaping China’s international image
• Soft power as a long-term foundation supporting broader economic and geopolitical objectives