Introduction
Confucius Institutions are Chinese culture promoting institutions that have been established by the Chinese government in different parts of the world. The Chinese government teams up with local institutions in both China and other countries and sets up a Confucius Institution. The Institutions are named after one of the most influential Chinese Philosophers; Confucius, whose teachings have guided most of the Chinese way of living and governance. The Confucius institutions benefit from financial support by the Chinese government as well as from the reputation of the brand name that comes with teaming up with the Chinese government. Students in such institutions benefit from scholarship and have better chances of getting opportunities that the huge Chinese economy offers. These institutions have, however, been criticized for undermining education freedom through some of their restrictions.
What Bearing does having Confucius’s name in its title have on the Institution?
The Chinese government, through its Ministry of education as well as the Hanban- its Office of Chinese Language Council International, have overseen the establishment of Confucius Institutions both locally and internationally. The institutions are formed through the affiliation of local colleges and institutions together with the above-mentioned Chinese agencies to form an institution that promotes the spread of Chinese language and culture. The students enrolled in such institutions get the opportunity to learn the Chinese culture and language, and even some get the opportunity to tour China. Such students also get a better chance of being absorbed in the giant Chinese economy.
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The institutions enjoy financial and human resources support from the Chinese government. Moreover, the institutions enjoy a better reputation, social influence, and popularity due to the trademarked brand name; Confucius Institute. Those who enjoy more brand names will enjoy higher popularity, reputation, more social influence, and will, therefore, be able to generate more support from local communities” said a spokesman of the Confucius Institute (Starr, 2009). Having used the name of “Confucius,” a famous philosopher who is believed to have developed quite helpful philosophies that guide people’s day-to-day life, the institutions gain more trust on the current generation that seeks spiritual nourishment and a means of creating a more harmonious world.
However, Chinese support to the Confucius Institutions has been criticized for being accompanied by terms and conditions that interfere with the education freedom of learners. The institutions are said to be restricted from teaching topics that are disliked by the Chinese for example, Dalai Lama and Taiwan. Critics also claim that the Confucius Institutions could be used to spread propaganda. Although China claims that the Confucius Institutions are just like any other culture-promoting institutions such as The British Council, Alliance Françoise, Societa Dante Alighieri, and the Goethe Institutes, critics have mentioned that the differences are more than the similarities since the other institutions are autonomous and unconnected with local educational facilities (Kuenzle & Song, 2012). Furthermore, the other culture-promoting institutions do not come with terms and conditions that favor only the promotion of their culture and ideologies while suppressing the spread of those of other people. China, which is an emerging economic and political superpower, is feared to be seeking more control over the world through its so-called Confucius Institutions. The Institutions are being said to be not just language schools but means of acquiring more soft power for China. Because of these fears, such institutions are starting to shut down in some countries. People who understand the dangers of giving China such power will also oppose and stay away from such Institutions.
What Influence has Confucianism had on Chinese Culture as well as the other Cultures (Particularly those that have Confucius Institutes?)
For thousands of years, Confucianism has been accepted as state ideology and orthodoxy in China. Confucian values and norms have proven to be acceptable and have for a long time guided the primary social institutes as well as the basic human relationships among the Chinese people. Confucianism has cultivated love, respect, and consideration for those in need among the Chinese society.
Language enables the consumption, internalization, and articulation of foreign ideas through fetching information from different media, for example, books, the internet, and television (The New African Magazine, 2015). The Confucius Institutions, through scholarships and support of the local institutions, have enabled promising talents from other countries to learn their language hence be able to consume the Chinese media and adapt their ideologies. This has led to the production of career professionals and national leaders who advocate the Chinese way of thinking across different countries especially where China has established Confucius Institutions. Nowadays, Chinese restaurants, fashion, architecture, religions, karate, way of governance among other cultural factors are beginning to spread in many parts of the world. The more these culture becomes acceptable, the more welcoming and tolerating people are becoming to the Chinese people. This is why China is taking over a lot of economies in different parts of the world, and their power is rapidly increasing.
Do You Believe that the Institute presents a Conflict between Religion and Culture in that the Focus is not the Religion? Explain why or why not.
Confucianism is a system of social and ethical philosophy and not a religion. Rather than presenting a conflict, Confucianism is, in fact, a common ground for the Chinese people as it provides values and norms acceptable to all. It is often referred to as a civil religion or a diffused religion. Its institutions are nothing particular for a certain people but rather include the society, family, schools, and the state which are available across all religions and cultures. It also has no separate liturgical specialist but is rather taught by parents, teachers, and leaders.
How do you think Confucius would view the Institute? Support your opinion with details and relevant examples from Confucius writings.
Confucius would disapprove the Institutions China is establishing around the world in his name. This is because, in his teachings, he specifically talks against artful speech and strategies for self-aggrandizement. He warns people against doing to others what they do not want others to do to them. China is using the Confucius institutions to manipulate other people’s social, economic as well as political organizations. China is spreading its culture not to help other people but to gain more power and control around the world. China has converted the institutions with most promising students in developing countries to Confucius Institutions to spread its ideologies and control in such regions. China is also brainwashing the most promising talents from other countries with their ideologies and using them for their selfish gains.
Conclusion
The Confucius Institutions set by the Chinese government have both advantages and disadvantages. First, the institutions support education in underdeveloped countries by providing finances and other resources. The institutions also promote globalization, which is essential for development. The Chinese government has, however, been suspected of promoting malicious interests through the Confucius Institutions. For example, by taking over great institutions that represent the history and culture of other countries, China is erasing the heritage of such countries and promoting its own. This has been considered as a way of acquiring soft power by changing the education system and cultures of other people. As such, the control of China around the world through such institutions needs to be checked.
References
Kuenzle, A., Song, T. (2012). Chinese Centers Spark Propaganda Fears. Retrieved from http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/chinese-culture-centres-spark-propaganda-fears/32216386
Starr, D. (2009). Chinese Language Education in Europe: the Confucius Institutes. European Journal of Education , vol. 44(1), p. 65-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3435.2008.01371.x
The New African Magazine. (2015). How China’s Confucius centers affect African culture. Retrieved from https://newafricanmagazine.com/current-affairs/how-chinas-confucius-centres-affect-african-culture/
