But if the country is to realize its enormous soft-power potential, it will have to rethink its policies at home and abroad, limiting its claims upon its neighbors and learning to accept criticism in order to unleash the full talents of its civil society. As long as China fans the flames of nationalism and holds tight the reins of party control, its soft power will always remain limited.
中国的援助项目常常是成功且建设性的。其经济十分强劲，其传统文化广受敬仰。但如果中国要实现其巨大的软实力潜力，就必须反思其国内外政策，克制其对邻国的主张，学会接受批评以充分释放其公民社会的才能。只要中国继续煽动民族主义、严格实施党控，其软实力永远会受到制约。