Move over, Hollywood and Silicon Valley—China’s cultural and diplomatic glow-up is officially global! The country just leaped to second place in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index, overtaking the UK and trailing only the US. Think K-pop’s global takeover, but with ancient traditions meeting cutting-edge sustainability.
London-based Brand Finance reported China scored 72.8/100, thanks to booming scores in culture, education, media, and its planet-friendly policies. The Belt and Road Initiative—a modern Silk Road connecting 150+ countries—also gets major credit. Meanwhile, the US held #1 with 79.5, though its global rep dipped amid governance concerns.
'This isn’t luck—it’s strategy,' said Brand Finance’s David Haigh, praising China’s focus on safety, governance, and homegrown brands. The survey polled 170,000+ people worldwide, making it the Olympics of soft power rankings.
From TikTok trends to solar farms, China’s playing the long game. Could this be the start of a new cultural era?
The country just leaped to second place in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index, overtaking the UK and trailing only the US. Think K-pop’s global takeover, but with ancient traditions meeting cutting-edge sustainability. 
Beyond Borders: 10 Years of the Belt & Road…
