This Study attempts to explore the soft power manifestation by China and what are the
factors influencing the framing of soft power by the construction industry key players.
It provides the detailed discussion of China’ methodology of soft power application
globally over the years and its focuses on soft power projection in construction industry
in contemporary times. Thanks to economic reforms in 1970s and soft power policies,
China now stands as the fastest growing economy of the world. The major argument of
the study is that, soft power policies of China has played a vital role in its rapid
development and enhanced economic relationships with other states of the world. As a
result, this rapid development and increased interconnectivity is leading the region
towards peace and stability. China has its focus on all three components of the soft
power which includes promotion of culture through Confucius institutes and public
diplomacy, spreading the political values through creation of new global think tanks,
academic writings and projecting the political system of China as successful model in
achieving the rapid economic development. While in term of foreign policies China has
focused on economic aid policies, infrastructure development and regional connectivity
for soft power projection and economic development as the fund provider for
construction industry globally. Recently introduced One Belt One Road (OBOR) or Belt
and Road Initiatives (BRI) by the China clearly projects the soft power of country
through cultural heritage, public diplomacy and economic foreign policies.
This initiative is enhancing the physical and social interconnectivity and trade in the
region, while China playing the central role in connecting the states with each other has
alarmed the world of possibility of new way of colonialization. This dissertation will
address how the Theory of Complex Interdependence states that enhance connectivity
and intuitionalism paves the way for peace and stability by reducing the chances of
conflict between the interconnected states because conflict hampers the economic
development of the states and whether complex interdependence between China and
others has alter the boundary of soft power.
