Indeed, it is not just that this state project is different from the passive attraction of soft power, but that it was in past at least inspired by China's lack of soft-power attraction. It was built on a realization that the current system and Chinese values ( as understood overseas at least ) were a potential source of weakness that might turn others away from China and/or lead them to fear its intentions and the consequences of its rise. Convincing everybody that China's rise should be supported might not be possible, but assuaging concerns, reducing opposition and winning over new friends was a realistic ambition. If China 's values and system were not to attract, then at least perhaps they might not repel.