By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter
China has begun to recognize the strategic importance of "soft power" due to the nation's growing need to improve its image abroad, according to a book released by the National Assembly Library, Monday.
The book, titled "China's Soft Power at a Glance," provides an overall picture of China's political and diplomatic influence in the international community.
In politics, soft power refers to a country's ability to influence other nations in a non-coercive manner in order to obtain the outcomes that it wants.
The publication outlines the emergence of China's soft power, along with its international humanitarian efforts, culture industry, and the Beijing Consensus, its economic development model.
China has become the world's second-biggest military spender behind the United States, with its defense spending increasing by an average of 16.2 percent from 1999 to 2008, according to data released by the Chinese government.
Beijing increased its defense budget to 480.6 billion yuan ($70.4 billion) in 2009, up 14.9 percent from the previous year.
China, the biggest buyer of Korea's goods, wants to renew its international status by beefing up its political and diplomatic leverage, according to the book.
It says the development of soft power has emerged as a top priority in China with the realization that an exclusive reliance on hard power is insufficient for pursuing its goals.
It also takes a look at the Confucius Institute, a public organization aimed at promoting the Chinese language and culture abroad.
According to the book, as of November 2009 the institute was operating in 85 countries, including Korea.
The Chinese government estimates that there are more than 40 million people learning the Chinese language and that some 100 million non-Chinese worldwide will be able to speak the language by 2010.
"Recently, China has expanded its influence so rapidly in international politics and economy that some even call China a member of the 'G-2,' along with the United States," said Yoo Jong-pil, director of the National Assembly Library.