Confucius Institutes and Sino-American soft power diplomacy.

Abstract

Since 2004, China has attempted to promote its image abroad through a number of soft power initiatives including culture and language learning programs called Confucius Institutes. Though ostensibly a nonprofit organization akin to other language teaching programs like the German Goethe Institutes, Spanish Cervantes Institutes, Alliance Française, and the British Council, the Confucius Institute has drawn scrutiny from academic and political leaders for its close ties to the Chinese government, threat to academic freedoms, and other questionable practices. This essay seeks to examine that debate, assess critical viewpoints, and offer suggestions for future research and policy direction. Using recently published reports on CI development and administration, this essay will explore how the institutes are founded and run – an aspect often overlooked in critical inquiry. Given the importance of postsecondary education in political socialization, it is understandable that many are wary of any outside influence in American universities. The lingering fear is that through soft power programs like the Confucius Institute, the Beijing-sanctioned view of politics and history will become the lens for American perception of China. Ultimately, the evidence against the Confucius Institute is often based on a notion of what could happen rather than what usually is the norm. Finally, this essay will seek to clarify criticisms that have become overdrawn, point out the most pressing structural and contractual issues, and recommend future research on the topic