[photopress:MBA_confucius2_1.jpg,full,alignright]In a sense the 210 Confucius Institutes worldwide, which are institutions promoting Chinese language and culture outside China, are feeding grounds for Chinese universities.
They promote the language and culture of China. The Alliance Francaise does exactly the same thing for France.
Richard L. McComick, president of the Rutgers State University of New Jersey of the United States, at the recent second Confucius Institute Conference, said, ‘We should strengthen cooperation to build up a world acknowledged brand of Confucius Institute, to better promote Chinese language and culture.’
Observers believe Confucius Institutes, as a ‘cultural export’, will provide effective leverage to boost China’s traditions and win the country friendship and appeal around the world.
Advocating the ‘building of a harmonious society’ through individual self-refinement in manners and taste, Confucianism dominated Chinese society for centuries and was spread to Europe in the late 16th century.
The Chinese government has set up 210 non-profit Confucius Institutes worldwide since 2004. These have been established in 64 countries and regions.
Hao Ping, president of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, said Chinese universities were speeding up their process to assist their foreign counterparts to set up Confucius Institutes.
The illustration is of the great sage. Confucius, born in 550 B.C., is considered the greatest of all eastern philosophers, (Buddha was a god which is different.) His writings, The Five Classics, the collection of ancient Chinese literature, and The Four Books, a collection of Confucius’ and his disciple’s teachings, was for centuries the standard curriculum for Chinese education. Now he is representing China around the world. China could not find a better ambassador.
Source: China View