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Article published In:
Journal of Language and Politics
Vol. 14:6 (2015) ► pp.778–800

The Confucius Institute Initiative in Reconstruction of China’s National Identity

| Deakin University |
This article examines China’s Confucius Institute program, a significant language policy/planning initiative. I adopt a political perspective in looking into the birth of this language policy initiative, focusing on its role in reconstructing China’s national identity in the context of its rise and its international relations. I explore the background against which the Confucius Institute initiative was formed, and analyse how this initiative was received in the West and how China responded to it. I argue that China is undergoing a reconstruction of its national identity and the Confucius Institute initiative is a major part of this effort. I suggest that such a reconstruction of national identity is an interactive process with an outcome resulting from China’s negotiation with the international community, involving China stating a new position, listening to international responses, clarifying and elaborating upon its position until its new position is accepted by the international community.
Keywords: Language policy and planning, China’s Confucius Institutes program, The rise of China, National identity reconstruction, International relations, National confidence and anxiety
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • Policy Intent of the CI Initiative
  • National Identity in International Relations
  • Reflection on and Anxiety Over National Identity
    • Language of a world power and language that makes China a world power
    • The Year of Jia-shen (2004) Cultural Declaration
    • Self-examination, confidence and anxiety
  • An interactive process in reconstructing national identity
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 31 March 2016
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jlp.14.6.03liu
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Cited by (2)

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Gil, Jeffrey
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2023. The Nature of The Confucian Turn: Part 1. In Legitimacy, the Chinese Communist Party and Confucius, ► pp. 177 ff. DOI logo

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