Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director, Volume 2

Beschreibung

“A rare and valuable insight … drawing on lived experience and valuable research.” — Professor Rana Mitter, Harvard University

“Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand China’s evolving soft power strategy.” — Mark Logan, former UK Member of Parliament

“Fascinating insider's account by a former Director of the Lancaster University Confucius Institute.” - Professor Daniel Bell, University of Hong Kong

“A compelling account of how a particular Confucius Institute navigated itself through the turbulent years … and growing geopolitical tensions. There are lessons for us all.” — Professor Wei Li, Director & Dean, UCL Institute of Education

“A fascinating account on one of the most important—and controversial—experiments of a rising China’s engagement with the outside world.” — Professor Hong Liu, Associate Vice President, Nanyang Technological University

“A first-hand account of what truly happened with China’s Confucius Institutes.” —Professor Qingguo Jia, Former Dean at Peking University

This open access book follows Volume 1 to offer a rare and fresh insider account of Confucius Institutes, one of China’s most debated global initiatives. Based on six years of experience as a Confucius Institute director, it challenges the view that these institutes are Chinese centrally controlled tools of soft power or other state objectives, showing instead how local contexts shape their everyday operations and development. It explores how Confucius Institutes are jointly run with host universities and embedded in the political, institutional, and cultural environments of host countries. Accessible and engaging, this study reframes debates on China’s global engagement, highlighting how global China is shaped by local realities.

Jinghan Zeng is a Professor at City University of Hong Kong and former Director of the Lancaster University Confucius Institute (2019-2025).

This open access book follows Volume 1 to offer a rare and fresh insider account of Confucius Institutes, one of China’s most debated global initiatives. Based on six years of experience as a Confucius Institute director, it challenges the view that these institutes are Chinese centrally controlled tools of soft power or other state objectives, showing instead how local contexts shape their everyday operations and development. It explores how Confucius Institutes are jointly run with host universities and embedded in the political, institutional, and cultural environments of host countries. Accessible and engaging, this study reframes debates on China’s global engagement, highlighting how global China is shaped by local realities.

Autor*in

Jinghan Zeng

Themen in »Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director, Volume 2«

Open Access China's rise Confucius Institutes China's global influence China's soft power Confucius Institutes in the Global Context Confucius Institutes in the National Context U.S.-China relations UK-China relations Confucius Institutes n the University Context Confucius Institutes in the Chinese Context

Stimmen zu »Memoirs of a Confucius Institute Director, Volume 2«

“Confucius Institutes are among the most controversial aspects of China's overseas activities.  This book provides a rare and valuable insight into the experiences of one scholar who ran such an institute, drawing on lived experience and valuable research.” (Professor Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations, The John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; author of “Forgotten Ally”)

“Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand China’s evolving soft power strategy, and how an ambitious Confucius Institute director navigated internal and external pressures at a leading UK university.” (Mark Logan, former Member of Parliament & Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary China Group (UK))

“Do Confucius Institutes promulgate Chinese Communist Party propaganda?  Or do they serve as bridges for mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world? This fascinating insider's account by a former Director of the Lancaster University Confucius Institute shows that the latter is closer to the truth, but navigating the political storms and social upheavals in Covid times required talent, emotional intelligence, an other-regarding outlook, endless energy, and a healthy dose of good luck.” (Professor Daniel A. Bell, Chair in Political Theory, University of Hong Kong; author of “The Dean of Shandong”)

“As an accomplished political scientist and experienced university administrator, Zeng has unique insights into the workings of the Confucius Institutes. This book is a compelling account of how a particular Confucius Institute navigated itself through the turbulent years of the Covid pandemic and growing geopolitical tensions. There are lessons for us all, but especially for those in institutional decision-making positions who are directly concerned with the relationships between China and the rest of the world.” (Professor Wei LI, Director & Dean, University College London Institute of Education; author of “Multilingualism in the Chinese Diaspora Worldwide”)

“Combining both an insider’s first-hand experience and an academic’s impartial analysis, this book provides a fascinating account on one of the most important--and controversial—experiments of a rising China’s engagement with the outside world.” (Professor Hong LIU, Tan Lark Sye Chair in Public Policy and Global Affairs & Associate Vice President (International), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; author of “The Political Economy of Transnational Governance”)

“A first-hand account of what truly happened with China’s Confucius Institutes. The reality is far more complex than it is often portrayed. Salute to all those who dedicate their lives to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between nations, despite the many challenges. This book is a must-read for anyone who shares their commitment and supports their efforts.” (Professor Qingguo JIA, former Dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University & Standing Committee Member, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference)

“Confucius Institutes are both a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the world and a living record of the frictions and challenges that have accompanied recent attempts at people-to-people engagement between China and Western societies. Drawing on six years of firsthand experience as a Confucius Institute director, Professor Zeng offers a vivid and insightful account that captures the realities of cross-cultural interaction. A valuable and highly readable work.” (Professor Jian XU, former President of the China Foreign Affairs University; Chair Professor, Shandong University)

“As a scholar who has long studied European politics and China–Europe relations, I see this book as a highly valuable piece of first-hand material for understanding how Confucius Institutes operate within Europe’s higher education systems and political environments. The account of the Confucius Institute at Lancaster University, in particular, resonates deeply with me as an alumnus.” (Dr. Zhongping FENG, Director of the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; President, China Society for European Studies)

“This book provides an insightful insider’s account of what it means to lead a Confucius Institute in today’s rapidly evolving international landscape. As Dean for International and Director of the Confucius Institute at Cardiff University, I greatly value its balanced perspective and its contribution to fostering mutual understanding amid political uncertainty. It will also serve as a valuable reference for practitioners and policymakers involved in managing and sustaining such institutes worldwide.” (Professor Peng ZHOU, University Dean of International & Director of Confucius Institute, Cardiff University)

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