Shaoyu Yuan is an American professor, scholar, and pundit best known for his work in Soft Power, Chinese foreign policy, and digital diplomacy. He is a professor at New York University's Center for Global Affairs in New York, New York.
Yuan's public profile is largely defined by his analysis of China's modern soft power apparatus and global digital narratives. He frequently appears on television and provides commentary on Sino-U.S. relations and Chinese foreign policy. He is a regular contributor and recognized expert whose writings and geopolitical analyses are frequently published in outlets such as The Hill , The Diplomat , and The Conversation . Yuan is the author of three books and many scholarly publications. His most recent book is Reframing China: TikTok, Soft Power, and the Battle for Global Narratives. [1]
He is also often interviewed about current events on international radio programs and his work has been quoted in international newspapers and periodicals such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, CBC, South China Morning Post , and The Guardian.
Yuan holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, a Master of Science from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Centre College.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal , Yuan argued that the Chinese Communist Party has recognized it cannot manufacture soft power "in a meeting room". Instead, he observes that Beijing's current strategy is to allow creativity to grow within established political boundaries, and then provide state support to successful commercial products. [2]
Discussing the viral "being Chinese" meme trend with The New York Times in 2026, Yuan noted that the phenomenon demonstrates China's growing cultural cachet. [3] He argued that such trends reflect a broader shift where online audiences are developing a deeper familiarity with Chinese aesthetics and lifestyle habits, engaging with the culture outside of its typical portrayal in the United States as a geopolitical threat. He has explored similar themes during appearances on NPR's All Things Considered . [4]