China’s cultural power reconnects with the world

This chapter provides a brief discussion of elements of power. Most prominent of all power slogans emanating from Beijing, however, is the ‘great rejuvenation’, coincidentally the name of a book authored by Xi Jinping, which is readily available for foreigners, translated into English on Amazon.com. China has an unprecedented presence globally: China-made products abound and Chinese tourists can be observed in increasing numbers all over the world. Culture is and always has been a key area of concern in China. Efforts to shore up China’s reputation as a culturally influential nation have led to little success and thus there has been a great deal of consternation in government circles over the past two decades. Film is an obvious candidate for branding a nation and exemplifying a nation’s power, and Hollywood has long played a role in showcasing United States political and cultural power abroad.