| The economic and trade exchanges between the countries along the “Belt and Road”have become increasingly close,and the understanding between the people of China and the countries along the route have also increased.As an important part of the “Belt and Road” Initiative,the people-to-people bond has built up a connectivity bridge.The Confucius Institute is a non-profit organization that teaches Chinese language and shares Chinese culture.It provides a platform for Chinese culture lovers in different countries to learn and communicate in the fields of education and culture,and promotes the understanding of Chinese culture by other ethnic groups.As the "Belt and Road" Initiative shifts from grand prospect to details,the Confucius Institutes need to adjust its work direction and defend its own interests in the context of international law,so as to win the respect and recognition of the world in the area of people-to-people bond.After the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the people-to-people bond were put forward,the relevant ministries,as well as provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities have formulated corresponding plans for the people-to-people bond through the construction of Confucius Institutes and other projects.The conclusion of international treaties related to the building of people-to-people bond is an important practice of the“Belt and Road” Initiative in the field of international law.While determining the relationship between rights and obligations between countries,it also puts forward the requirements of international law for the joint construction of the Confucius Institutes.The headquarters of the Confucius Institute actively adjusted the work content in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and the Confucius Institute Charter.The cooperation between foreign undertaking institutions and domestic cooperative institutions jointly help the Confucius Institutes to participate in the construction of people-to-people bond.However,the Confucius Institutes encountered some challenges in participating in the people-to-people bond.In terms of legitimacy,the nature and work content of Confucius institutes have been questioned by some scholars,who believe that they are involved in espionage,restricting human rights and interfering in internal affairs.At the legislative level,the international treaties directly related to Confucius institutes account for a low proportion of all the treaties on the people-to-people bond and the connotation of Confucius institutes have different expressions in the treaties,and the constraints on the contracting parties are insufficient.At the institutional level,the establishment conditions and assessment standards of the Confucius Institutes have also added realistic conflicts and uncertainties to the establishment of the Confucius Institutes overseas.Confucius institutes need to make up for their own shortcomings and respond to voices of doubt in accordance with international law.First,adhering to and abiding by the basic principles of international law is a prerequisite for Confucius institutes to participate in the people-to-people bond and a legal weapon to defend its own interests.Secondly,improving the rule of domestic and foreign laws is another direction for Confucius institutes.We should not only revise the internal norms of Confucius institutes to facilitate overseas cooperation,but also improve the legislative level of international treaties on the people-to-people bond to protect China’s interests in overseas Confucius institutes.Finally,relying on the sustainable development goals and the initiative of promoting cultural diversity from the United Nations and UNESCO,actively cooperating with non-governmental organizations and learning the experience of other countries’ language and cultural centers,which will help Confucius institutes to participate in the building of people-to-people bond in an international legal environment. |
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