The path, value and limits of the Confucius Institute in carrying out public diplomacy

Abstract

On the basis of Chinese language teaching and cultural communication activities, the Confucius Institute carries out a variety of cultural exchange activities between China and the host country, which has become an effective way for China to carry out public diplomacy and participate in global cultural governance. By analysing the concepts of public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, people-to-people exchange and cultural governance, this paper summarises three typical paths of Confucius Institutes in carrying out public diplomacy: ‘from the government to foreign nationals’, ‘from the government to Chinese citizens and then to foreign nationals’, and ‘from the government to foreign nationals and then to foreign nationals’. The value of the Confucius Institute in carrying out public diplomacy is reflected on the level of national diplomacy, international exchange and global governance. Furthermore, the capability of the Confucius Institute as a language and cultural communication institution initiated by China and in cooperation with other countries in carrying out public diplomacy is limited. This limitation, on one hand, originates from the nature of the Confucius Institute as a language and cultural communication organisation, and on the other hand, is related to the difficulties and challenges that China faces in its participation in global governance. Public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy are based on national interests. They also transcend national interests and, furthermore, become a way for a country to actively participate in global cultural governance. The experience of and challenges faced by the Confucius Institute can have important implications for China in participating in global cultural governance.