The Decline of Confucius Institutes in the West
Once Branded as the Key to Chinese 'Soft Power,' These Schools Have Declined in Europe and the U.S.
Expression of the week: 打击措施 dǎjī cuòshī
Meaning: countermeasures, crackdowns
If you’ve been learning Chinese for several years—and since you’re here with us, we assume you have—there’s a good chance you began your journey at a Confucius Institute.
Once popular as centers for Chinese language and culture, these institutes have faced growing backlash in many Western countries. In recent years, Confucius Institutes (孔子学院, Kǒngzǐ Xuéyuàn) have increasingly been viewed as tools of Chinese propaganda. This perception, however, stands in contrast to their continued expansion in Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
Let’s read more about how Confucius Institutes declined in the US and Europe.
被西方国家视为中国外宣机构、近年来被抵制的“孔子学院”，虽然在美欧等地陆续被关闭，数量明显减少，但在中国积极拉拢的非洲、中东及南美洲反而持续扩张，成为新的落脚处及重点发展地区。
被视为 (bèi shìwéi) – to be regarded as
外宣机构 (wàixuān jīgòu) – external propaganda organization
抵制 (dǐzhì) – to boycott; to resist
陆续 (lùxù) – one after another; successively
拉拢 (lālǒng) – to win over; to rope in
扩张 (kuòzhāng) – to expand
落脚处 (luòjiǎochù) – foothold; base of operations
Regarded by Western countries as a tool of Chinese external propaganda and increasingly resisted in recent years, the Confucius Institutes, although gradually shut down across Europe and North America with a significant decline in numbers, have instead continued to expand in Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where China is actively building ties. These regions have become new footholds and key areas for further development.
综合德国之声（Deutsche Welle）等媒体报道，美国国会稽核处（GAO）最新报告显示，在全盛时期，美国境内最多曾有110所“孔子学院”，分布在全美至少44个州境内。但如今全美的“孔子学院”，只剩下5所。
综合 (zōnghé) – to summarize; to compile
德国之声 (déguó zhī shēng) – Deutsche Welle (Germany’s international broadcaster)
国会稽核处 (guóhuì jīhé chù) – Government Accountability Office (GAO)
全盛时期 (quánshèng shíqī) – peak period; heyday
境内 (jìngnèi) – within the country; domestically
According to reports from Deutsche Welle and other media outlets, the latest report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows that at its peak, there were as many as 110 Confucius Institutes across the United States, located in at least 44 states. However, only 5 Confucius Institutes remain in the U.S. today.
特朗普（Donald Trump）政府时期，美国对“孔子学院”祭出多项打击措施。其中，在“2019年国防授权法案”中，便限制美国国防部针对设有“孔子学院”的大学提供补助，形同让美国大学必须在美国国防部和“孔子学院”提供的补助之间二选一。
祭出 (jìchū) – to launch; to introduce (policy or measure)
打击措施 (dǎjī cuòshī) – countermeasures; crackdowns; punitive measures
国防授权法案 (guófáng shòuquán fǎ’àn) – National Defense Authorization Act
设有 (shèyǒu) – to be equipped with; to have (an institution)
补助 (bǔzhù) – subsidy; financial aid
形同 (xíngtóng) – equivalent to; practically the same as
二选一 (èr xuǎn yī) – to choose one of two; binary choice
During the administration of Donald Trump, the United States introduced several measures targeting Confucius Institutes. Among them, the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act included a provision that prohibited the U.S. Department of Defense from funding universities that hosted Confucius Institutes, effectively forcing American universities to choose between receiving support from the Department of Defense or from Confucius Institutes.
此后，美国国务院2020年进一步认定，“孔子学院”的美国中心为“外国使团”，进一步展开施压。时任美国国务卿蓬佩奥（Mike Pompeo）对此直指，中国利用美国的开放性，在美国进行了“大规模、资金充裕的宣传攻势和影响行动”。
国务院 (guówùyuàn) – Department of State (U.S.); State Council (China)
进一步 (jìnyībù) – further; to take a step further
认定 (rèndìng) – to designate; to determine
外国使团 (wàiguó shǐtuán) – foreign mission (diplomatic entity)
施压 (shīyā) – to apply pressure
时任 (shírèn) – serving at the time; then-incumbent
国务卿 (guówùqīng) – Secretary of State
直指 (zhízhǐ) – to point out bluntly; to directly state
资金充裕 (zījīn chōngyù) – well-funded; financially well-supported
宣传攻势 (xuānchuán gōngshì) – propaganda offensive; publicity campaign
影响行动 (yǐngxiǎng xíngdòng) – influence operations
Subsequently, in 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a "foreign mission," increasing pressure on the organization. Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated bluntly that China had taken advantage of America’s openness to carry out "large-scale, well-funded propaganda and influence operations" within the United States.
在欧洲，德国教研部长史塔克－瓦特辛格（Bettina Stark-Watzinger）6月公开呼吁德国高等教育机构，结束和“孔子学院”的合作关系，并呼吁相关院校以批评眼光重新评估和“孔子学院”的联系。
教研部长 (jiàoyán bùzhǎng) – Minister of Education and Research
呼吁 (hūyù) – to call for; to appeal
批评眼光 (pīpíng yǎnguāng) – critical perspective; critical eye
In Europe, German Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger publicly called in June for German higher education institutions to end their cooperation with Confucius Institutes. She also urged universities to critically reassess their ties with the Institutes.
根据报道，值得注意的是，虽然西方国家对“孔子学院”的质疑声浪升高，但“孔子学院”在阿拉伯世界的中东和北非地区，以及非洲地区和南美洲的数量，仍在持续增加。日前最新挂牌成立的“孔子学院”，即设在非洲南部国家博茨瓦纳，也是该国境内第2所“孔子学院”。
质疑声浪 (zhìyí shēnglàng) – wave of questioning; criticism
阿拉伯世界 (ālǎbó shìjiè) – the Arab world
挂牌 (guàpái) – to be officially listed or opened
成立 (chénglì) – to establish; to set up
设在 (shè zài) – to be located at
博茨瓦纳 (bócíwǎnà) – Botswana
According to reports, it is noteworthy that while skepticism toward Confucius Institutes has been growing in Western countries, the number of these institutes continues to increase in the Arab world, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in Africa and South America. The most recently established Confucius Institute was opened in Botswana, a country in southern Africa — marking the second Confucius Institute in that country.
研究中国外交及战略的学者查济札（Mordechai Chaziza）分析，“孔子学院”在中东和北非的影响力扩大，数量从2006年起不断增加。截至2023年6月底，当地已设有23所“孔子学院”及相关机构。
截至 (jiézhì) – as of (a specific time)
Scholar Mordechai Chaziza, who specializes in Chinese foreign policy and strategy, analyzed that the influence of Confucius Institutes in the Middle East and North Africa has been expanding, with their numbers steadily increasing since 2006. As of the end of June 2023, there were 23 Confucius Institutes and related centers established in the region.
查济札提到，相较于欧美国家对中国倾向负面看法，中东和北非国家对中国主要抱持正面看法。在中国如今和西方国家关系紧张下，当地的“孔子学院”可能会进一步关闭。相形之下，“孔子学院”的未来，似乎转向中东、非洲、南美洲等中国的盟友圈。
倾向 (qīngxiàng) – to tend toward; inclination
负面看法 (fùmiàn kànfǎ) – negative view/opinion
正面看法 (zhèngmiàn kànfǎ) – positive view/opinion
关系紧张 (guānxì jǐnzhāng) – tense relations
相形之下 (xiāngxíng zhī xià) – by comparison; in contrast
未来 (wèilái) – future
转向 (zhuǎnxiàng) – to shift toward; to turn to
盟友圈 (méngyǒu quān) – circle of allies
Chaziza noted that, in contrast to the generally negative perception of China in Europe and North America, countries in the Middle East and North Africa tend to view China more positively. Given the current tensions between China and Western nations, Confucius Institutes in those Western countries may face further closures. In contrast, the future of the Confucius Institutes appears to be shifting toward China’s circle of allies, including the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
Antoine & Dorota
Referenced author(s): CNA Taiwan