What does this research mean for the field?

Chinese universities' involvement in Confucius Institutes is driven by institutional motivations rather than the promotion of national soft power. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the institutional motivations and roles of Chinese partner universities involved in Confucius Institutes beyond centralized state soft-power objectives.

September 14, 2026Critical Asian StudiesOpen Access

Not for Soft Power: Chinese Universities Behind Confucius Institutes

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To examine the institutional motivations and roles of Chinese partner universities involved in Confucius Institutes beyond centralized state soft-power objectives.
Analyzed institutional relationships, governance structures, and internationalization strategies linking Chinese universities with Confucius Institutes.
Evaluated policy frameworks at the intersection of Chinese higher education internationalization and educational diplomacy.
Chinese partner universities engage with Confucius Institutes primarily to advance institutional internationalization, academic prestige, and domestic resource acquisition.
Internal university goals and organizational incentives diverge significantly from purely state-driven soft power agendas.

Implication

Qualitative analysis reveals institutional drivers behind Chinese partner universities in Confucius Institutes, suggesting motivations extend beyond state-mandated soft power.

Abstract

As China’s flagship educational initiative to promote Chinese language and culture abroad, Confucius Institutes lie at the intersection of politics, education, and culture, and feature prominently ...

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Cite This Study

Jinghan Zeng (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7dfc60926e14a848b3d8f https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2026.2727888

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Implication

Qualitative analysis reveals institutional drivers behind Chinese partner universities in Confucius Institutes, suggesting motivations extend beyond state-mandated soft power.

Not for Soft Power: Chinese Universities Behind Confucius Institutes

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Not for Soft Power: Chinese Universities Behind Confucius Institutes

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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