THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE IN CHINA’S POLITICS. THE CHINESE PERSPECTIVE ON THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-22-84Keywords:
: China, soft power;, Confucianism;, Confucius InstitutesAbstract
In the past few decades soft power has become, , the most commonly used foreign term on the Asian continent and has received special attention both from specialists in International Relations and from the representatives of the Chinese
Communist Party. Stepping into the third millennium, China shows a tendency of reconfiguration for its position and role in relation to the other great powers of the world, and adopts the soft power strategy, which is adapted to assert itself globally.
For almost two decades in which the concept of soft power has been studied and attempts to adapt it to the country’s values have been made, China concludes that its tradition, culture, history and philosophy can be an advantage in creating links with
the other countries from Asia as well as those outside the Asian continent. In this regard, the Chinese government is allocating a generous amount of money for the establishment of Chinese language, culture and literature centers, named Confucius Institute around the world, starting with Asia. At present, China argues that their role is particularly important, as these centers, built on the model of English, French, or Spanish language centers, are not only aimed at the Chinese-speaking public, but are an intermediary between China and the host country,
in order to establish cooperative relations, presenting Chinese culture, history and civilization and attracting as many sympathizers as possible.
The article presents, describes and analyzes the structure and operation of the Confucius Institutes from a Chinese perspective, and illustrates the relationship between China’s soft power policy and their operating program, as exposed by Chinese sources as well
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Conclusions
China’s new openness to the West is intended
to send a message of goodwill, to make itself known
and thus to establish cooperative international
relations with a view to economic development. To
this end, the Chinese government is using the soft
power instruments at its disposal: millennia-old
culture, civilization, philosophy and the Chinese
language, and is banking on the fact that anything
different from the West will appeal primarily to the
civilian population. According to this plan, China
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relations and partnerships, distracting the public
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elements in the country’s culture.
From the information presented in the article,
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As it is already known, the effects of soft power
are not visible in a short time, and it is necessary to
form an objective view before labelling them as a
threat or a harmless means of gaining easier access
to Chinese language, culture and civilization, a
thorough analysis conducted over a long period
of time, a possible establishment of an Institutes
research Centre operating independently of
Hanban, and empowered to refute or confirm any
assumptions about the Confucius Institutes and the
usefulness of their actions, is needed.
Bulletin of ”Carol I” National Defence University
September 2022
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