Review of the Confucius Institutes’ Strategy for the Dissemination of Chinese Culture

Abstract

Following four years of continuous expansion in scale, the Confucius Institutes have begun entering the stage of implicit development: the most pressing question that needs answering is whether the Confucius Institutes, which are devoted to the dissemination of Chinese culture, can achieve the spread of Chinese culture overseas through day-to-day Chinese teaching. This paper reviews the Confucius Institutes’ strategy for the dissemination of Chinese culture from four perspectives: first, it dissects the connotations of Chinese culture, to clarify precisely what aspects of Chinese culture the institutes are seeking to disseminate; second, it analyzes the current international cultural order and challenges that may be faced in the process of cultural dissemination, and uses this foundation to draw lessons from other countries’ strategies for linguistic and cultural dissemination; third, it clarifies the methods, channels, and mechanisms for cultural dissemination; and last, it tracks the results of overseas cultural dissemination by the Confucius Institutes, and offers a scientific assessment.

Keywords:

• Confucius Institute
• culture
• dissemination

Notes

“Quanqiu yi kaiban 249 suo, Shijie Kongzi Xueyuan dahui zai jing zhaokai” (With 249 institutes founded around the world, the Confucius Institute World Conference is held in Beijing), Renmin ribao haiwai ban (People’s Daily Overseas Edition), 12-10-2008.

According to a report by China Central Television broadcast on 04-18-2008.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wu Ying

Wu Ying is an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication and Deputy Director at the Research Center for Global Public Opinions of China at Shanghai International Studies University.