Abstract: As China major actor of the world politics, the development of Chinese culture is not only an internal need to improve its own comprehensive strength, but also an external need for the world to understand Chinese culture. The subject of the study is the study of the strategic culture of the PRC. The subject of the research is to identify the main tasks of China's cultural diplomacy. Here we should pay attention to the study of the strategic importance of cultural diplomacy. Culture has become not only an instrument of international competition, but also an important means of maintaining and expanding national interests and acquiring an international image. The main conclusion of the study is the understanding that the development of cultural strategy is an integral part of China's modern diplomacy. It is as important as economic globalization and political multipolarity. The use of culture as a means of diplomacy is the result of hundreds of years of world practice. A good understanding of cultural diplomacy is equivalent to mastering a skill that is a link between countries. The purpose of the work is to search and analyze the tasks of China's cultural diplomacy as one of the important parts of the strategic culture of the country as a whole. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the use of materials in Chinese, as well as conducting research based on Chinese experts.

Keywords: national interest, international relations, cultural strategies, cultural exchanges, cultural diplomacy, China, country's image, China's diplomacy, Soft power, strategic culture

Abstract: The subject of this research is the public diplomacy mechanism of the Russian Federation. The goal consists in consideration of the mechanism of functionality of public diplomacy of the Russian Federation based on the framework government documents, reports on the activity of the structures of public diplomacy of the Russian Federation, and expert analytical articles. The author examines the foreign policy concepts of the Russian Federation of 2000, 2008, 2013 and 2016, as well as reveals their structures and areas of focus. Analysis of the discourse of research on the public diplomacy of the Russian Federation allowed determining the gaps and the problematic areas that require further research. The article presents examples of the projects that were implemented in the indicated directions in accordance with the latter concept. In conclusion, the author outlines the development trends of public diplomacy mechanism of the Russian Federation. The mechanism of public diplomacy of the Russian Federation is an ambiguous phenomenon and still in the making. On the one hand, the understanding of “soft power” on the state level has evolved significantly in recent years. Moreover, the author traces the evolution of terminological field of public diplomacy in the official documents, as well as its objectives and development trends. On the other hand, the question of coordinating body within the mechanism of public diplomacy of the Russian Federation remains open and relevant. Attention of researchers is also focused on the actors and level of their engagement into the system, interaction between the elements within and outside the mechanism. At the same time, public diplomacy projects are implemented by the Russian Federation worldwide; they coordinate with the trends set by intergovernmental organizations, and appear to be quite effective with regards to provision of information support. The trend of digitization of international policy poses new challenges for the public diplomacy structures, which would require an evolution in understanding of the concept.

Keywords: Humanitarian cooperation, Internatioinal development, Foreign policy doctrine, Informational support, Smart power, People-to-people diplomacy, Soft power, Public diplomacy, Compatriot support, Digitalization

Abstract: Usage of “soft power” as a foreign policy resource is currently present in majority of countries, but the effectiveness and response from the soft power strategy among leading countries is much higher than that of emerging centers of power. This article presents the analysis of the transition from “hard power” to “soft power”, examining the most competitive area – education policy, which represents the key vector of humanitarian diplomacy on advancement of national interests. In addition to assessment of the British education potential, the article also demonstrates how Brittan’s policy affects the foreign policy and country’s position in the port, defines the potential of influence upon other countries in the context attractiveness of British national culture and values, as well as sets the global trends for education policy. In the course of daily research of the resource of “soft power”, the research employs the data on measurement of “hard-soft power”, ratings of assessment of the index of “soft power” (The Soft Power 30), QS World University Ranking; utilizes the data on the number of foreign students in UK; conducts comparative analysis of the changes in the UK education policy in the conditions of Brexit. The relevance of this research is defined by the heightened interest towards soft-power component, which allows to not only be more flexible in the approach towards advancement of national interests, but also contributes to influence of other countries in the context of “soft power”.

Keywords: European Union, Brexit, rating of «soft power», index of «soft power», cooperation, education, United kingdom, soft power, foreign policy, influence

Abstract:   This article is dedicated to determination of certain definitions of the term public diplomacy, as well as examination of the question of its establishment and specific concept in the conditions of Slovak Republic. The author analyzes the advantages and factors of public diplomacy of Slovak Republic from geopolitical and historical perspectives in reference to the current foreign policy of the country. The article consists of three sections: the first analyzes the understanding of public diplomacy by Slovakian experts; the second provides the analysis of the concept of nation branding as a foundation of public diplomacy of Slovakia; the third explores the mechanism and peculiarities of Slovakia’s current public diplomacy. Research methodology is based on the methods of political science, namely; systemic analysis that allows viewing the phenomenon of Slovakia’s public diplomacy in the context of international relations and foreign policy; as well as documental analysis that determines the attributes and peculiarities of Slovakia’s public diplomacy according to the official sources. The conclusion is formulated on which state interests are met due to the public diplomacy and nation branding of the country. The author identifies the factors of public diplomacy of Slovak Republic that impact its advancement overseas. The scientific novelty consists in examination of the current political situation in Slovakia and different perspectives on the country’s foreign policy by the representatives of state authorities, as well as citizens.  

Keywords: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, Slovakia, foreign policy, national branding, public diplomacy, State, Propaganda, Identity, Culture

Abstract: The article analyses the modern status of India in the international arena. Over the past few years India and its economic potential are attracting close attention of world politicians and researchers. The changes that have occurred in recent years are perceived by analysts as transition of India from the status of the Regional Power to the status of the Great Power. The purpose of the study is to explore India's potential for becoming the Great Power in the future. The following tasks were set in accordance with the purpose: to highlight the key achievements of India in various fields, to consider the challenges lying ahead for India, compare the views of historians and political scientists on India's current status in the international arena, and analyze the initiatives of the Indian government to improve the indicators of the country. The author uses the so-called "Theory of factors" as a methodological basis to explain social development by the influence of political, economic, social and other factors [1. - P. 80.]. This approach has enabled us to give the most substantiated answer to the main question of the article, i.e., related to the factors evidencing that India can become a Great Power. In addition, a comparison method was used to analyze the scientific approaches for determination of the status of India in the international system. The scientific novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive analysis of the criteria for greatpowerness of India. On the basis of the results of the analysis, the author concludes that India has a number of factors that allow some scientists today to suggest that India is a Great Power. However, for general recognition of this status, it must address a number of economic, political and social problems the country faces today.

Keywords: great power, economic growth , potential , Asia , global hierarchy, problems, criterion, rise of Asia, regional power, India

Abstract: The article studies the potential of Japan’s soft power. The author analyzes the main sources, institutions, problems and prospects of this direction of foreign policy of contemporary Japan. Since the early 21st century, the emphasis of Japan’s soft power has been placed on the promotion of the modern popular culture. The special “Cool Japan” concept had been developed. The concept was supported by Japanese scientists and politicians. Today, this concept is being implemented by Japanese soft power institutions – the Agency of Culture, working within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Internal affairs of Japan, the Cool Japan Fund and the Japanese centers established in the late 20th centuries in the developing states. The author applies the method of historicism, the institutional approach and comparative analysis. Japan’s soft power is studied in its historical aspect; the author analyzes the work of its institutions and compares its potential with the potentials of soft power of other countries of Asia-Pacific region. The author concludes that contemporary Japan tries to win the world not with the attractiveness of its ancient traditions, but with the modern technologies and popular culture. Thus, Japan’s soft power is primarily aimed at achieving its geo-economic objectives. 

Keywords: Japanese cuisine, Japanese language, Manga, international image, soft power, diplomacy, foreign policy, Japan, Cool Japan Fund, Cool Japan

Abstract: The article is devoted to one of the aspects of the foreign political activity of France – the so-called cultural diplomacy. This sphere of activity concerns cultural exchanges between France and other states, international cooperation of France in the spheres of education, science, French elementary and middle education abroad, cinema, music and information. The authors provide a detailed analysis of the activities of the French Institute and specialized institutions in this sphere, radio- and TVchannels, as well as modern information and telecommunication companies, which facilitate the cultural presence of France abroad. The methodology of studies is based upon the political and legal analysis of the mechanism for the cultural diplomacy of France within the framework of the comparative analysis of the analogous systems of cultural diplomacy in other states. This article is the first among the researches of this type in Russia. Moreover, the foreign legal literature provides no publications on this issue, or these publication of the scientific – popular character. The authors draw a conclusion on the relevance of use of the experience of the French diplomacy in the Russian foreign political mechanisms including the Federal Agency on the CIS Affairs, matters of compatriots living abroad and international humanitarian cooperation.

Keywords: France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign policy, diplomacy, culture, the French Institute, the Russian Cooperation Agency (Rossotrudnichestvo), foreign experience, education, science.

Abstract: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has a special role in the formation of a positive international image of the country. The whole system of the Russian MFA is involved in the design, broadcast and “laundering” of Russia’s image abroad: the central offi ce headed by the Department of Press and Information, diplomatic and consular missions of the Foreign Ministry and its subordinate organizations. In fact, a positive perception of Russia abroad is the mission of every Russian diplomat.

Keywords: Russia, image, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, information security, Department of Press and Information, embassies, diplomatic and consular missions, permanent missions, Rossotrudnichestvo, new communication technologies.

Abstract: The public diplomacy is a complex of measures, which are aimed to study and to inform the foreign audience, as well as to form contacts. Public diplomacy is also the relations among the states, which do not use the traditional ties among the governments. In other words, public diplomacy presupposes open dialog between the private persons and the non-governmental structures of the states. Such an interpretation of public diplomacy is not the same with the interpretation, which is given to this term by the offi cial American administration, which started its development in the fi rst place. According to the interpretation of the US Administration, public diplomacy is fi rst of all infl uence on the social opinion in the states, with which interaction is taking place, in order to infl uence foreign policy of such states. At the same time such diplomacy may be implemented at the government level.

Keywords: diplomacy, public diplomacy, the USA, Russia, the EU, offi cial diplomacy, private persons, NGOs, politics, political science.