China's Latest Export: Soft Power: While the US Has Focused on the Mideast, Beijing has Become a Rival for Global Influence by Joshua Kurlantzick

CHINA'S LATEST EXPORT: SOFT POWER: WHILE THE U.S. HAS FOCUSED ON THE
MIDEAST, BEIJING HAS BECOME A RIVAL FOR GLOBAL INFLUENCE - JOSHUA KURLANTZICK
(LOS ANGELES TIMES, SEPTEMBER 2): China is modernizing its military, especially
its obsolete air force and navy. China's softer tools of economic and diplomatic
influence also challenge U.S. power, particularly at a time when America's
global reputation has plummeted. Over the last decade, Beijing has worked hard
to cultivate foreign publics, not just foreign leaders, by developing
sophisticated assistance programs that have made China the largest donor or
lender to countries such as Cambodia and Angola.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-kurlantzick2sep02,0,645303.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail