«SHARP POWER» IN THE INFORMATION SECURITY STRATEGY OF CHINA

Abstract

The article explores the conceptual and applied aspects of China's ’sharp power’ as a new technology of influence on international policy aimed at achieving competitive advantages through information operations, cyber threats and manipulation of news content in media and social networks. Also, the changes in China's information security strategy have been analyzed considering the use of such tools as a modern form of political activity in international relations. The ’sharp power’ tools may include attempts by some international actors to manage information on themselves in another country's media, education and cultural systems for misleading or dividing public opinion in the chosen country or for distracting from negative information on themselves. In particular, Chinese government institutions support the policy and information security for counteracting China's criticism outside and impacting on international interactions through ’sharp’ diplomacy. ’Sharp’ diplomacy is an ideology that supports the privilege of state power above personal freedom and is fundamentally hostile for open discussions and independent thought. It is found that China has different positions on ’sharp power’ policy as a component of information security at the international and national levels that depends on technological innovations in telecommunications and social media which are a challenge for global democracy, legal international policy and effective cooperation. Incorporating ’sharp power’ into China's information security strategy enables more active promotion of the country's policy abroad, respond promptly to national interests and understand public opinion on China's role in global governance.