Abstract: Over recent years，a series of complex changes have occurred in China's periphery，posing a potential threat to it.While on the whole its peripheral security situation remains stable，China faces some severe challenges on its eastern and southern territorial seas in traditional security terms.How，then，shall we respond to this new situation? This essay maintains that，while continuing to construct our hard power，we should take further measures to boost our soft power in our periphery.Under current circumstances，we should try especially hard to increase our agenda-setting ability in associating with countries and areas surrounding China，and strengthen our diplomatic elite's discourse right in China's foreign policy.  

Key words: peripheral security , China's diplomacy , soft power;agenda-setting , discourse right

摘要： 近年来中国周边安全形势出现了一系列新的复杂变化，在周边安全环境总体稳定的同时，东部和南部的海疆安全面临着严峻的挑战，传统的军事安全形势显得尤为严峻。如何应对周边安全形势的新变化，本文认为在加强硬实力的同时，应从中国和平发展的大战略出发，进一步加强在周边安全战略中软实力战略实施，当前特别要重视增强中国周边外交中的议程设置能力，提高中国对外政策中“外交精英”的话语权。

关键词: 周边安全 , 中国外交 , 软实力 , 议程设置 , 话语权