The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD) will host a public meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025, focused on the People’s Republic of China’s strategies for utilizing the information space to advance its foreign policy objectives. The meeting will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be open to the public, including media representatives and members of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It will also be available online for those unable to attend in person.
This session, which will be held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., will feature a panel of experts who will offer insights into the ways in which China has developed its public diplomacy strategies. The discussion will explore how the Chinese government has increasingly leveraged media, digital platforms, and cultural initiatives to shape global perceptions and advance its national interests.
The ACPD, a bipartisan body created by Congress in 1948, is tasked with evaluating and assessing U.S. government activities aimed at understanding, informing, and influencing foreign publics. Over the years, the Commission has been a critical source of independent research, producing reports, white papers, and other publications that provide evaluations of U.S. public diplomacy efforts. The Commission’s role is to ensure that the United States’ diplomatic outreach is strategic, effective, and in alignment with its foreign policy goals.
The ACPD regularly holds public symposia to encourage informed discussion and debate on key public diplomacy challenges, and the meeting on China’s public diplomacy is expected to foster a thoughtful exchange on how global powers utilize the information space to strengthen their influence.
This particular meeting comes at a time when there is growing interest in the role of digital and media tools in shaping international discourse, and China’s approach has become an important subject of study. The Commission’s research and findings will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of global public diplomacy, particularly in the context of China’s rising influence and its efforts to extend its soft power globally.
The Commission’s work is integral to informing the U.S. government and policymakers about how to effectively engage with international audiences and promote American values abroad. Its annual reports, as well as special reports on issues of significance, provide in-depth analysis and recommendations that are shared with the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.
For those interested in attending the meeting or viewing it virtually, registration details are available via a dedicated link, allowing both in-person and online participation.
The ACPD continues to play an essential role in shaping the U.S. government’s understanding of the impact of public diplomacy and will continue to offer guidance on best practices and emerging trends in international communications.