Confucius Institutes v2 (1)

8 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES AND THE GLOBALIZATION OF CHINA’S SOFT POWERin the context of China’s “soft power” pursuit. Indeed, the ConfuciusInstitute offers an illustrative case of the opportunities and challengesfacing cultural diplomacy organizations in contemporary times.This issue of the CPD Perspectives in Public Diplomacyprovides three analyses of this timely and important topic. R.S.Zaharna views the Confucius Institutes as a “network-based culturaldiplomacy project” that underscores the growing importance ofrelational processes. Her analysis examines the Confucius Institutes’network structure, network synergy, and network strategy. Taking ananthropological approach, Jennifer Hubbert focuses on a ConfuciusInstitute-sponsored tour of China for American high schoolstudents. Through “thick description,” she explores the intendedproduction of Chinese soft power through the two mechanisms of“witnessing the modern” and “embodied performance of tradition”as demonstrated during the tour, and how these were experiencedby student participants. Finally, Falk Hartig examines the ConfuciusInstitute project in Africa through the wider framework of China’sdevelopment aid. Through a case study of South Africa, he exploreswhether the Confucius Institutes might play a more prominent rolein Africa than elsewhere.These three papers contribute to a discerning discussion ofthe Confucius Institutes’ phenomenal growth. They also serve asinvitations for further studies and debates. Special thanks to LaurenMadow and Bryony Inge for their able editorial assistance.Jian Wang