Abstract:
Culture is one of the important assets of a country, including for the People’s Republic of China
(PRC). The rise of the PRC after its economic reform in 1978 was seen as a threat by many
countries, especially for Western countries. The PRC is considered to have the potential to be
dominating power, especially in Asia, as well as in the international world. In promoting the
peaceful rise of PRC, as well as dismissing the existing perceptions, the PRC uses cultural
diplomacy which is a way for the PRC to promote its Soft Power through the establishment of
Confucius Institute in various countries as the dissemination of culture is a part of PRC’s foreign
policy, including in the Republic of South Africa, where Republic of South Africa itself had
established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the PRC. There are already five
Confucius institutes in Republic of South Africa, and one of them is at Stellenbosch University. In
this regard, the Confucius Institute serves as a way for the PRC to promote language and culture
for students in Republic of South Africa, fostering mutual understanding, and as a way for the
PRC to maintain the relations with Republic of South Africa. This research is using a qualitative
descriptive method, to provide analysis of the sources obtained, in the form of news articles,
books, and scientific journals. The existence of Confucius Institute in South Africa has showed
that PRC has conducted its cultural diplomacy effectively, not only South Africans understanding
about PRC, but also attract them to learn more about the country.
