[News Terms] 'Sharp Power' Overtly Manifested by China's New Counter-Espionage Law

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] 'Sharp power' refers to the influence exercised through persuasion, threats, and subtle manipulation of public opinion. It is mainly used to mock the hostile influence exerted by major powers.

It is the power authoritarian countries such as China and Russia use to covertly pressure and force other countries by employing illegal methods such as massive covert funds, economic influence, inducement, bribery, and coercion. It is a concept completely opposite to 'soft power,' which induces persuasion and empathy through culture.

Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Photo by Beijing EPA / Yonhap News

Sharp power is a concept first introduced in a report released at the end of 2017 by the American non-profit think tank, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The NED stated in the report that the conceptual term 'soft power,' used since the end of the Cold War, is no longer suitable for the current situation and proposed the concept of 'sharp power.' It pointed to China as a representative country exercising sharp power, saying, "China is skillfully pressuring various countries and expanding its international influence based on its rapidly rising economic power."

Concerns are rising that sharp power is becoming increasingly blatant as the Chinese government implemented the 'New Counter-Espionage Law' on the 1st, which broadens the definition of espionage activities, expands the scope of legal application, and increases the authority of national security agencies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs predicted that China might abuse the New Counter-Espionage Law as a legal means of external retaliation known as 'sharp power.'

At the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting held last month in Songdo, Incheon, China suddenly did not send its finance minister and central bank governor and abruptly canceled the Korea-China economic event. South Korea and Saudi Arabia are fiercely competing to host the 2030 International Expo, and reports have emerged that China is conducting behind-the-scenes interference operations against Korea. China's all-out offensive, including wolf warrior diplomacy and sharp power, is directed toward South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.