Reframing China
TikTok, Soft Power, and the Battle for Global Narratives
- 2026
- Book
- Author
- Shaoyu Yuan
- Book Series
- Politics and Development of Contemporary China
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
This book explores China’s growing use of digital platforms as instruments of soft power, with a particular focus on the strategic deployment of TikTok in shaping global narratives. At the intersection of international relations, media studies, and Chinese foreign policy, the project offers a timely and empirically grounded investigation into how the People’s Republic of China is leveraging platform infrastructure and algorithmic design to influence foreign audiences, especially those in the West. What makes this project distinctive is its dual focus on theoretical innovation and empirical depth. It advances existing scholarship by reconceptualizing digital platforms not merely as neutral technologies, but as strategic tools of statecraft capable of advancing soft power objectives. Drawing on original cross-platform comparison, it combines content analysis with AI-assisted sentiment analysis to reveal where, how, and why China-related narratives gain traction, particularly among Western audiences.
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Table of Contents
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Frontmatter
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1. Why TikTok? The Platform, Its Popularity, and Its Politics
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the multifaceted success of TikTok, examining its simplicity, social connectivity, and algorithmic engagement that have made it a global phenomenon. It explores how TikTok's content style, psychological appeal, and cultural impact have reshaped digital content consumption. The chapter also compares TikTok and Douyin, highlighting differences in content and user experience between China and the U.S. It discusses the political and security concerns surrounding TikTok, including its potential as a tool for China's soft power and the U.S. government's response. The text provides a detailed analysis of TikTok's content moderation strategies and their alignment with China's geopolitical goals, offering insights into how the platform influences global perceptions and challenges U.S. hegemony.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractThis chapter introduces TikTok’s rapid ascent from a Chinese start-up to a global cultural force with over a billion users. It examines the app’s unique blend of entertainment, algorithmic personalization, and community features that distinguish it from Western competitors like YouTube and Instagram. Special attention is given to TikTok’s ownership structure and its fraught position between China and the United States. The chapter also compares TikTok to its domestic counterpart, Douyin, highlighting how different regulatory and ideological environments shape content. Ultimately, it frames TikTok not simply as a platform for leisure but as a contested political actor situated at the intersection of culture, technology, and geopolitics. -
2. Soft Power and Power Transition Theory
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the role of TikTok as a tool for China's soft power strategy, examining how the platform influences global perceptions and challenges U.S. hegemony. The analysis explores the intersection of digital platforms and geopolitical influence, highlighting the strategic advantages of Chinese-owned platforms in shaping global narratives. The text also compares TikTok with Western platforms like YouTube, revealing how China leverages algorithm-driven content to promote its cultural and political interests. Additionally, the chapter discusses the broader implications of China's soft power strategy within the context of power transition theory, offering insights into the future of global influence and competition. The conclusion underscores the significance of digital platforms in modern geopolitics and the need for a nuanced understanding of their role in shaping international relations.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractHere the book reframes soft power as an ideological project embedded in language, culture, and narrative construction. The chapter develops hypotheses on how TikTok functions as a vehicle for narrative power, testing whether the platform systematically amplifies pro-China content and constrains critical perspectives. It situates TikTok within China’s broader ideological strategy, alongside education diplomacy and institutional engagement. The analysis dissects how language choices, cultural symbols, and ideological framings converge in short-form content to reshape perceptions of China. Far from a neutral platform, TikTok emerges as part of a multi-layered infrastructure of influence that subtly contests U.S. dominance. -
3. Constructing Influence: Content, Language, Culture, and Ideology
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the transformative role of TikTok in the global power struggle between the United States and China, focusing on how the platform serves as a tool for China's soft power strategy. It explores the hypotheses that TikTok promotes China's cultural and political agenda, examining its content, moderation practices, and global impact. The chapter also analyzes specific TikTok accounts and their role in shaping global perceptions of China. Additionally, it compares TikTok with other social media platforms, highlighting the unique characteristics that make it an effective tool for cultural diplomacy. The chapter concludes that TikTok is a source of Chinese soft power and one of the less obvious, yet efficient tools used by the nation to challenge the United States, creating political and cultural impact.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractHere the book reframes soft power as an ideological project embedded in language, culture, and narrative construction. The chapter develops hypotheses on how TikTok functions as a vehicle for narrative power, testing whether the platform systematically amplifies pro-China content and constrains critical perspectives. It situates TikTok within China’s broader ideological strategy, alongside education diplomacy and institutional engagement. The analysis dissects how language choices, cultural symbols, and ideological framings converge in short-form content to reshape perceptions of China. Far from a neutral platform, TikTok emerges as part of a multi-layered infrastructure of influence that subtly contests U.S. dominance. -
4. Competing Platforms: TikTok, YouTube, and the Battle for Perception
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the battle for perception between TikTok and YouTube, focusing on how each platform handles sensitive topics like Xinjiang and Xi Jinping. Through a detailed comparison of content moderation and user engagement, the study reveals significant discrepancies that underscore how each platform shapes narratives around these contentious issues. The research employs advanced sentiment analysis tools, including ChatGPT-4o, to systematically analyze user comments and videos, providing a comprehensive view of public sentiment on both platforms. The findings highlight TikTok's tendency to favor positive content aligned with Chinese government narratives, while YouTube presents a more balanced and critical perspective. This chapter also explores the role of social media platforms in the broader context of soft power dynamics, suggesting that TikTok may be used as a tool to promote Chinese ideologies and challenge Western dominance. The study's robust methodology and detailed analysis offer valuable insights into the complex interplay of platform governance, user behavior, and global discourse.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractThis chapter presents the book’s comparative core: a cross-platform study of TikTok and YouTube. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines manual content analysis with AI-assisted sentiment analysis of over thousands of user comments across politically sensitive keywords. The results reveal systematic differences: TikTok tends to skew toward positive portrayals of China and critiques of Western hypocrisy, while YouTube displays more critical perspectives. The chapter highlights how algorithms, moderation rules, and engagement cues like pinned comments shape discourse differently across platforms. In doing so, it shows how platforms themselves become agents of soft power, mediating what global audiences watch and share. -
5. Beyond the Screen: Western Pro-China Influencers and Electoral Implications
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the world of Western pro-China influencers on TikTok, categorizing them into three distinct groups: individuals with personal connections to China, political activists, and sponsored content creators. Each group is driven by unique motivations, ranging from cultural appreciation to political advocacy or financial incentives. The chapter explores how these influencers use subtle narratives and engaging content to shape perceptions of China and counter Western perspectives. It also examines the potential impact of these influencers on electoral outcomes, highlighting the role of TikTok's algorithm in amplifying divisive content and shaping political discourse. The chapter concludes by discussing the broader implications of these findings for digital diplomacy and cyber politics, emphasizing the need for a rethinking of regulations governing political activities on global social media platforms.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractExpanding beyond algorithms, this chapter examines the role of Western influencers who promote pro-China narratives on TikTok. It identifies three categories: those with personal ties to China, ideological activists, and sponsored creators, and analyzes how their content blends cultural storytelling with political messaging. These actors enhance the platform’s soft power by embedding state-aligned narratives in authentic, user-generated voices. The chapter also considers TikTok’s impact on democratic processes, from viral disruptions of political rallies to youth-driven electoral mobilization. Together, these cases demonstrate how TikTok blurs the boundary between cultural diplomacy and political intervention, raising urgent questions about sovereignty and democratic resilience. -
6. The Future of Digital Influence: Power, Policy, and the Global Order
Shaoyu YuanThis chapter delves into the significant role TikTok plays in promoting Chinese soft power and shaping global perceptions. It explores how TikTok's algorithm prioritizes virality and user engagement, making it a powerful tool for amplifying specific cultural, political, and ideological messages. The text compares TikTok with other platforms like YouTube, highlighting the differences in content moderation and promotion. It also examines the platform's role in cultural diplomacy and political narratives, particularly in managing discussions on sensitive topics. The chapter concludes by discussing the future implications of TikTok's influence, including the need for transparency, provenance, and research access to understand and measure its impact on global narratives.AI Generated
This summary of the content was generated with the help of AI.
AbstractThe final chapter synthesizes the book’s findings and projects them into the future. It evaluates regulatory responses in the United States and Europe, from divestiture demands to data localization and algorithmic audits, and situates them within a larger contest over digital sovereignty. The chapter closes by synthesizing TikTok’s cultural and political functions, contrasting its narrative management with YouTube’s, and arguing that international politics now lives in digital feeds: governing platforms like TikTok is inseparable from governing world order.
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-032-11686-4
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-032-11685-7
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-11686-4
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