Voices of online masses can make China heard worldwide
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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's speech on Internet freedom on February 15 has been criticized by the Chinese media as hypocritical.
However, I think it should be seen as a wake-up call for Chinese policymakers to prepare a Web-based public diplomacy with the US.
Clinton might sound rude and affront when she blasted and lectured China about Internet freedom. But her proclaiming Internet freedom to be a new priority for US foreign policy should serve as a good but bitter advice to Chinese foreign policy.
China should learn to utilize the full potential of social media and word-of-mouth communication technology to achieve its foreign policy goals and to enhance its power of setting global agenda.
Web-based public diplomacy, also nicknamed as diplomacy 2.0 or e-diplomacy, refers to the diplomatic practices through the Internet and mobile devices.
Ever since Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State, she has pursued an "e-diplomacy" strategy, mobilizing the US public to "get busy on the Internet" and proactively interact with foreign audiences to carry out US diplomatic strategies.
In recent years, American government agencies, media outlets, non-government organizations, academic institutions, think tanks and foundations have embraced Web-based public diplomacy by encouraging diplomats, journalists, university professors, students, tourists and other US citizens to use the Internet to converse with people from countries like China so as to promote the US foreign policy and its political value systems.
America's e-diplomacy, as an important component of its strategic assets and strategic communication, primarily attempts to set media agendas, create a news framework and design news contexts about international events, resulting in increased international pressure and domestic confrontation in target countries.
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