Study Of Confucius Institute’s Image In Europe

As a non-profit educational and cultural institution, Confucius Institute opens a window for the world to know more about China. Supported by Chinese government, it is entrusted with the good wishes of promoting Chinese culture and language.However, the development of Confucius Institute is not always smooth sailing. Using the method of Lexical analysis and the software of Textometrie, this dissertation studies the image of Confucius Institute in Europe and its image changes, based on the analysis of related reports of European French presses.When talking about Confucius Institute, Belgian newspapers mention usually the "Mandarin fever", French presses tend to emphasize Confucius Institute’s role in Chinese cultural diplomacy and soft power, while Switzerland worries that Confucius Institute may intervene in local academic freedom. In recent years, Confucius Institute’s European image is turning negative:from a Chinese-teaching "cultural center" to the tool of Chinese government and its "cultural expansion". Some reporters, out of hostility against China, misjudge Confucius Institute as well. Relying on the thorough study of press materials, this dissertation firstly analyzes Confucius Institute’s image in Europe, then summarizes the problems revealed by its image overseas, and finally, in accordance with these problems, makes several suggestions on Confucius Institute’s overseas development and culture promotion strategy.