Confucius Institute and Confucius Classroom closures: trends, explanations and future directions

Abstract

Abstract Confucius Institutes (CIs) and Confucius Classrooms (CCs) have always been controversial, with concerns raised by politicians, academics, journalists and members of the public about their impact on the universities, schools and countries which host them. Such concerns have grown to the extent that closures of CIs and CCs have become common. This article analyses data on the closure of CIs and CCs to determine what they mean for this language and culture promotion project. It maps out the scope and scale of closures, explains the reasons behind them, outlines China’s reaction to them and finally speculates about the future of CIs and CCs. It finds that closures have been confined to North America, Australia and Europe due to deteriorating relations with China. However, closures have not occurred in South America, Africa or the Middle East, and new CIs continue to open in these regions. This is due to opinions towards China being largely positive and a need for resources for Chinese language and culture education. Overall, the number of closures is also small, with many times more CIs and CCs still in existence than those which have closed. It would take a long time for all CIs and CCs to be shut down based on current closure rates. China has also demonstrated a willingness to modify how CIs and CCs are managed to ensure their continued existence. The article concludes that the spate of closures which have taken place in recent years does not signal the end of CIs and CCs. Closures will likely keep occurring in North America, Australia and Europe, but CIs and CCs will continue in South America, Africa and the Middle East as long as China is willing and able to support them.