The 20th anniversary of the Confucius Institute, established by the Chinese government to promote Chinese language and culture globally, is celebrated this year. Expanding to over 500 centers in 160 countries within a decade, Confucius Institutes play a key role in China’s international language and culture promotion strategy.
However, challenges have arisen in the development of Confucius Institutes, notably in the United States where many have closed. In response, a new management structure was implemented in June 2020 with the establishment of the Chinese International Education Foundation (CIEF) and the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), signifying a move towards decentralization.
Initially, the rapid growth of Confucius Institutes was supported by a favorable geopolitical environment towards China. During this time, the emphasis was on soft power as a means for China’s peaceful rise, with Confucius Institutes serving as a bridge for cultural exchange and cooperation.
Despite facing criticism and scrutiny, particularly in the U.S., Confucius Institutes continued to expand globally due to the demand for knowledge about China and its language. The increasing negativity towards China’s rise led to stricter policies under the Obama and Trump administrations, resulting in numerous closures of Confucius Institutes.
Under the Biden administration, similar policies on Confucius Institutes have been enforced, leading to closures and reviews in other countries as well. China has responded with a decentralized approach to its ILCP strategy, creating new initiatives and funding sources to adapt to the changing landscape.
While decentralization may have reduced criticism, challenges remain in rebuilding trust and cooperation between China and the West, especially in the U.S. The future success of Confucius Institutes and China’s ILCP strategy will depend on broader geopolitical dynamics and efforts to address skepticism.
The evolving story of Confucius Institutes highlights the complexities of cultural diplomacy in today’s world. The outcome will depend on China’s ability to rebuild relationships and the changing political landscape. The involvement of Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz in China could also impact the narrative on Confucius Institutes in the future.
This article is based on a research paper published in The Pacific Review, an international relations journal covering the interactions of the countries of the Asia-Pacific.