Speaker:

Dr Pan Chaohong
Research Fellow designate, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore

Date & Time:

Monday, 13 May 2024
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Registration:

Please register at https://nus-sg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvd-mgrjouHdJtD1RKaXCX3V3mnzQFazEF and indicate if you are joining us in-person.

On-site venue:

EAI Conference Room
NUS Bukit Timah Campus, Tower Block #06-01,
469A Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259770

Abstract:

This seminar examines the potential of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to reshape China’s international image through public diplomacy efforts. Mega-events like the Olympics offer opportunities to improve the favourability of a country and boost product sales. The seminar aims to understand the effects of the Olympics and the underlying mechanism of how newly gained knowledge about China affects foreign public opinion. Specifically, using a two-round panel survey, the seminar investigates the effects of the Olympics on foreign perceptions of China and the types of knowledge that have the most significant impact on public opinion. Results indicate that the Olympics have limited ability to change public views of China, and in some cases, may even have a backfire effect. However, people gained significantly more positive knowledge of China after the Olympics, which correlated with increased curiosity about Chinese culture and a stronger desire to foster peaceful relations with China. Overall, the seminar provides insights into the actual impact of public diplomacy strategies in the context of mega-events like the Olympics.

About the Speaker:

Pan Chaohong is currently Research Fellow designate at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. She earned her PhD degree in Political Science from the University of California, Merced. Her research primarily explores the interplay between public opinion and US-China relations, with a particular focus on public diplomacy and foreign public opinion.