Projecting The People‟s Republic of China‟s Soft Power: China‟s Cultural Diplomacy Efforts through Confucius Institute towards Republic of South Africa (Case Study of Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch University 2014-2016)

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.