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Article
Author(s)
Joseph Benibengor Acquaye
Full-Text PDF XML 926 Views
DOI:10.17265/2161-6248/2020.05.001
Affiliation(s)
Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
ABSTRACT
This study deeply focuses on
the perceptions surrounding the operations of Confucius Institute (henceforth CI)
in western countries. From the body of academia, intellectual groups and policy
makers, CI cooperation with partner institutions are being criticized of hidden
agendas through the application of soft power, interferences in host institutions
academic work, funding of projects, teacher recruitments, and teaching and learning
contents. The above stated issues of western researchers and policy makers have
indeed created a negative perception against all CI centers and their operations.
This research applied a narrative review of experienced and endowed researchers’
works, associations’ reports, conference and meeting reports, and media publications
on CI operations in some western countries. A detail review was conducted on the
diverse perceptions being held by these bodies. Eleven qualitative articles out
of a 25 were covered due to its clarity and direct relation with the objectives
of this review. These articles were found to be very representative with its coverage
location. The findings of this review are presented in three parts as follows: Firstly,
there are misrepresentations of perceptions on CIs as an arm of Chinese government
soft power partner institutions influencing academic work. Secondly, there are contradicting
opinions from host institutions and other stakeholders about the clarity of China’s
CI in other countries. And thirdly, an in-depth attention was given to the global
objectives of all CIs in foreign countries, the extend of transformational changes
taking place and possible recommendations that will foster a healthy future cooperation
among CI, partner institutions, and respective countries government.
KEYWORDS
Confucius Institute, perceptions, western countries, Chinese government, academic freedom
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