The recent news that China is now the world's second largest economy generated little enthusiasm from the Chinese public.

Has China's ascending status brought the nation the admiration and the acceptance of other countries?

The Chinese people have long regarded national strength as fundamental to winning respect and affection from the rest of the world. Many Chinese people still swallow the bitter memories of past poverty and the humiliation associated with it.

Many believe wealth is a true test of a country's status and ability, and nothing can bond partners closer than mutual economic benefit.

China finds it necessary to show the world what it can do. In today's international community, national strength is still the deciding factor of a country's influence. It is also an effective stimulus to domestic audiences. However, topping the power rankings is not a guarantee a country will be loved by the rest of the world.

While China continues to exert a more confident image, it is also meeting some resistance from the world, even from its old friends. From the snooty coverage by overseas media outlets to various polls of public perception in foreign countries, these suggest that China is facing a challenge to improve its image.

The key to persuading the world that China is a positive force lies in finding and conveying ideas that resonate in people's heart. Like a person with only a strong figure but empty mind, he or she can find few followers.

China is doing much needed remedial work to improve its image. A national image promotional commercial is part of its re-branding, in which 50 Chinese celebrities have been selected to polish China's image.

It is an improvement over old-fashioned promotional materials, which usually feature stories of economic growth and grand construction projects.

Individuals can better move forward China's concepts and image to foreign audiences, whether that message is one of goodwill, family bonding or the willingness to love.

Persuasive power comes from more than showing exceptionalness. It should include ideas that can be felt and shared by people from other countries. It should be an example that people are willing to follow. Once people from other countries feel a common bond with China, it may become more liked around the world.

After the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games the world understands that China is not a backward country and that Chinese people are just as smart as everyone else. However, it remains difficult to make the world accept a growing China and become close to it. This is the ultimate goal when building China's image.