The Drivers of Confucius Institutes in BRI Politics in Africa and Latin America

Jean Gonondo and Mercedes V. Andrés
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Jean Gonondo: Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Maroua
Mercedes V. Andrés: Tsinghua University

Chapter Chapter 12 in China's Belt and Road Initiative in Africa, 2025, pp 215-236 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The Confucius Institutes promote the Chinese language and culture while fostering a positive image of China abroad. Additionally, these institutes, serve as instruments for China´s disseminatino of soft power , supporting its cultural and linguistic outreach globally. This study aims at closely examine, compare, and analyse Chinese cultural diplomacy and soft power through the establishment of Confucius Institutes in Africa and Latin America. For this purpose, we focus on two case studies, the Confucius Institutes in Cameroon and Argentina, selected because they representdeveloping countries in regions where China seeks to deepen South-South cooperation ties and its relationship through win-win strategies. Using document analysis and a comparative approach, this chapter untangles the geo-cultural and economic strategies of the Belt and Road Initiative in Cameroon and Argentina. Our premise is that China’s leadership and vision for shaping a new world order rely on a cultural strategy of communication integrated into a broader, coordinated internationalisation project. Cultural diplomacy and South-South cooperation serve as a theoretical framework for this chapter. This study finds that the Confucius Institutes in Africa and Latin America are not merely institutions for promoting Chinese language and culture. Rather, through their power of attraction, they play a significant role in enhancing China’s image, telling China’s story, protecting China’s interests, and expanding China’s influence in host countries. We also observe that China´s cultural soft power strategy is focused on Global South countries and that Confucius Institutes are closely aligned with the consolidation of the Belt and Road Initiative. This chapter identifies challenges related to the establishment of Confucius Institutes in Africa and Latin America, particularly in Cameroon and Argentina and proposes solutions to address these limitations while exploring ways to engage with China´s vision for a shared future for Mankind.

Keywords: Confucius institute; Africa; Latin America; Cultural soft power; Cultural diplomacy; Belt and Road Initiative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-80400-7_12

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-80400-7_12

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