China has ascended to the world's second most influential soft power nation, trailing only the United States, according to the sixth annual Global Soft Power Index released by Brand Finance on Thursday.
The report reveals that China surpassed Britain, securing second place with a score of 72.8 out of 100, marking its highest-ever ranking. The nation exhibited significant growth across six of the eight soft power pillars, including culture and heritage, media and communication, education and science, and two-thirds of the measured attributes. This rise is attributed to initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, a heightened focus on sustainability, and the strengthening of domestic brands.
The index is based on a survey of over 170,000 respondents from more than 100 countries, reflecting global perceptions of all 193 United Nations member states. The findings were unveiled during the Global Soft Power Summit 2025.
While the United States maintained its top position with a record score of 79.5 out of 100, its global reputation experienced a decline, dropping four positions to 15th since the last assessment. Additionally, the country's governance matrix fell four spots to 10th place.
David Haigh, chairman of Brand Finance, commented that the 2025 ranking highlights China's \"sustained efforts to enhance its economic attractiveness, showcase its culture, and boost its reputation as a safe and well-governed nation.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
