Though national deals are normally approved by governments, public support also plays a part that cannot be overlooked. Public opinion and influence bring opportunities and challenges to a country's foreign policy and relations, Xinhua reported.
The development of communication technologies significantly affects how public opinion influences foreign policy. Today, the media can be used in asymmetric and soft warfare among countries. In this regard, Western countries have been a pioneer in establishing media and expanding their range of activities. Western propaganda has profoundly influenced the world's public opinion in pursuit of particular objectives. Social networks and media are used as leverage to pressure governments or even cause disruption.
Firstly, the determination to compete in traditional and modern media should be supported. Often, the media's influence on societies surpasses that of governments. For example, many Western media outlets seek to transmute small events in the two countries into major crises.
Secondly, media coverage of Iran and China should increase. News media coverage in both countries should be broader than diplomatic events and bilateral relations. The constant exchange of information and analyses leads to greater communication between the people of the two countries and greater credibility, which benefits from an accurate, logical, and consistent narration.
Thirdly, use paradiplomacy as a practical strategy to bring the Iranian and Chinese societies closer and reduce the negative impact of foreign media on bilateral relations.
Iran and China can support the establishment and expansion of paradiplomacy or "parallel diplomacy" among non-governmental players and people in different ways. In the era of virtual communications, unofficial and non-governmental players are more effective. Thus, increasing "citizen diplomats" -- who are proficient in public diplomacy -- among journalists, artists, students and researchers help advance bilateral ties. Paradiplomacy can be pursued by expanding cultural and economic relations among cities and provinces and through local authorities.
Fourthly, soft security means the people of the two countries hold a sense of security in their bilateral relations. It includes hope for the positive impact of bilateral relations on daily life and the future of relations.
The Western media consistently attempt to invoke a sense of insecurity in China and Iran about their bilateral ties. They seek to cultivate a view that "relations between your governments will bring you nothing but poverty and misery. We are your civilized friends, and other Eastern societies are uncivilized and savage." Iranian and Chinese media should combat such misleading and manipulative perspectives.
Fifthly, the Western media's influence on other societies originates from the West's decades-long bid to press its values on others. Iran and China are civilized Eastern societies with many cultural commonalities and attractive cultural and traditional values. Holding joint cultural events would strengthen foreign relations between the two countries.
The development of bilateral cultural relations could provide fertile ground for policy support among the public. The role of academics, university students, artists, and other social strata and classes are essential here. Constructive, sustainable and long-term strategic cooperation and interaction with East Asian countries require such social capital.
* Abas Aslani is the CEO of Iran's prominent English newspaper Iran Daily, holds a Ph.D. in North American Studies from the University of Tehran and is an expert on Iran's foreign policy.
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