The paper deals with the current state of Chinese public diplomacy. It analyzes the role of public diplomacy and foreign cultural policy in Chinese strategy on foreign affairs. The author also points out some peculiar features of Chinese view on the concept of soft power and outlines the difference of Chinese approach depending on whether the country is developed or developing. The author draws on the documents of Chinese National Development and Reform Commission, official statements of Xi Jingping, papers of the Chinese social scientists etc.