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Confucius Institutes in Western Academia Roskilde University, Group S18-IS1-23 – International Studies Date: 05/28/2018 Igor Dokic Jeppe Aksholm Confucius Institutes in western academia • Soft power or Sharp power? Logo of Confucius institutes (Research Gate, 2018) Roskilde University Subject module project 1 in international Studies Number of characters: 83384 Group number: S18-IS1-23 Supervisor: Klaas Dykmann Jeppe Askholm - 57793 Igor Dokic - 60403 Roskilde University, Group S18-IS1-23 – International Studies Date: 05/28/2018 Igor Dokic Jeppe Askholm Table of content Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Problem Area ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Research question ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Falun Gong ................................................................................................................................................ 7 About the Confucius Institutes ................................................................................................................. 7 Understanding aspects of Chinese Culture ............................................................................................... 8 Liberal values ............................................................................................................................................ 9 METHOD ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 Strategy of analysis - Deductive method ................................................................................................ 11 Criticism of used literature and theories ................................................................................................ 12 Empirical data ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Theories .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Soft and hard power ........................................................................................................................... 13 Sharp Power ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Theories ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 Hard - Soft power .................................................................................................................................... 14 Hard power ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Soft power ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Sharp Power ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Presentation of cases .................................................................................................................................. 17 Lyon University........................................................................................................................................ 17 Tel Aviv University ................................................................................................................................... 17 Sonja Zhao: .............................................................................................................................................. 18 2 Roskilde University, Group S18-IS1-23 – International Studies Date: 05/28/2018 Igor Dokic Jeppe Askholm TORONTO: ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Conference in Braga ................................................................................................................................ 20 Analysis of first hypothesis ......................................................................................................................... 22 Sonja Zhao: .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Lyon ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Toronto: .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Tel Aviv University ................................................................................................................................... 25 Braga Conference .................................................................................................................................... 27 Summary: ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Analysis of second hypothesis: ............................................................................................................... 28 Confucius institutes are soft power institutions: .................................................................................... 29 Issues are exaggerated............................................................................................................................ 30 Conclusion on hypothesis 1: ................................................................................................................... 31 Conclusion on hypothesis 2: ................................................................................................................... 32 Hypothesis 2: The issues with the institutes are exaggerated: .............................................................. 33 Conclusion: To what extent does China exercise sharp power though CI? ................................................ 33 Discussion: .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Literature .................................................................................................................................................... 35 3 Roskilde University, Group S18-IS1-23 – International Studies Date: 05/28/2018 Igor Dokic Jeppe Askholm Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the Chinese Confucius institutes can be categorized as soft power institutions, or if they are tools for the projection of “Sharp power”. This paper will attempt to answer the research question through hypothetical deduction, by analyzing cases where Confucius institutes have caused problems at certain universities. It is revealed through the analysis, that both the established hypotheses have aspects that can be verified and falsified. The paper arrives at the conclusion, that Chinese Confucius institutes are soft power institutions, but were on a few occasions exerting sharp power. Furthermore, there wasn’t evidence of a general strategy from the institutes to exert sharp power. 4 Roskilde University, Group S18-IS1-23 – International Studies Date: 05/28/2018 Igor Dokic Jeppe Askholm Problem Area China has seen an immense economic growth since 1978, when market reforms changed their economic structure into a market based economy. Since then, 800 million Chinese has been lifted out of poverty, due to the vast growth in GDP averaging close to 10% annually. This economic development, is the fastest sustained expansion by a major economy in history (The World Bank, 2018). With this enormous and rapid economic growth, and the undeniable influence of being the second largest economy on the planet, China seeks to gain a larger international influence in both politics and economics (Reuters, 2009). As a part of the Chinese strategy to become more influential in the international sphere, and as a project to further its relationship with the west, China created the Confucius institutes. The Confucius institutes were created in 2004 as “non-profit public institutions which aim to promote Chinese language and culture in foreign countries” (Confucius Institute Headquarters, 2014). These programs are rapidly expanding, and there are currently over 1000 Confucius institutes in 120 countries (Confucius Institute Online, 2014). These agreements work as a collaboration between Hanban, the confucius institutes headquarters and local universities and colleges outside of China. The local facilities provide infrastructure, such as classrooms, management and administration staff, and Hanban provides funding of the centers, teachers and educational material. The content of the agreement often varies, but hosting a Confucius institute is usually attractive due to
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