Is Human Rights the Achilles’ Heel of Chinese Soft Power? A New Perspective on Its Appeal

This article analyzes Chinese soft power through the lens of human rights. First, it discusses the conceptual connection between Chinese human rights and the attractiveness of Chinese soft power as well as some important methodological questions. Second, it takes a comprehensive look at China’s record of defending and promoting human rights. Third, it analyzes China’s role in the international human rights discourse.