The emergence of citizen diplomacy in EU-China relations:principles, pillars, pioneers, paradoxes

Fulda, Andreas

Abstract

This analysis considers the phenomenon of citizen diplomacy in European Union [EU]–China relations. It begins by engaging with the global discourse about “new” diplomacy and outlines how society-centric citizen diplomacy differs from state-centric public diplomacy. After revealing that European policy-makers are only reluctantly acknowledging the role of laymen in foreign policymaking vis-à-vis China, it shows that whilst citizen diplomacy may be a new concept in EU–China relations, it is actually not a new practice. The empirical part of the exegesis traces the experiential learning amongst 12 European citizen diplomats who have engaged China in the activity fields of disability; psychoanalysis; non-governmental organisation twinning; human rights; climate change mitigation; welfare of orphans, abandoned disabled children and young people; youth dialogue; public participation; animal welfare; and inclusive performing arts. The final part makes use of the newly developed hexagon of intercultural communication and collaboration competence to reveal how the European citizen diplomats have managed to navigate the sometimes-treacherous political-administrative landscape in mainland China. European citizen diplomats have made manifold and often surprising contributions to China’s multifaceted development

Citation

Fulda, A. (2019). The emergence of citizen diplomacy in EU-China relations:principles, pillars, pioneers, paradoxes. Diplomacy and Statecraft, 30(1), 188-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2019.1557419

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 28, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Feb 27, 2019
• Publication Date: Feb 27, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 11, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 28, 2020
• Journal: Diplomacy and Statecraft
• Print ISSN: 0959-2296
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-301X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 188-216
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2019.1557419
• Keywords: Political Science and International Relations; Sociology and Political Science; History
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/942832
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592296.2019.1557419
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=fdps20; Published: 2019-02-27