Soft power is increasingly central to China¡¯s global dominance, no longer limited to economic prowess or military ambitions. This subtle yet key asset is reshaping Asian culture through the likes of food, film and online content.

China¡¯s cultural exports are changing its image abroad, wielding a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they have the potential to foster unity and commonality across the vast Asian continent. On the other, they threaten regional uniqueness and act as a vehicle for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda.

For nations like Japan and India, China¡¯s growing influence poses a serious conundrum: Will they be engulfed in its cultural whirlpool or be able to resist the current?