China's Foreign Language And Culture Policy

In the globalizing international society culture and language to the world means that not only foreigners understood these but also understood the rights and responsibilities to participate the international society. Li stated about Chinese culture that "most of Chinese superior culture is included in Chinese language and letters. And most of intelligence from ancient to modern times is also included" and "it should fulfill international society's responsibilities that introducing Chinese culture to the world." (Li 2000) Diffusing native languages is one of the most important ways of diplomacy. In the information society,1 common language in media is able to gain high status, and language policies is paid attention more and more in each countries'foreign strategy.Therefore, this thesis covers the whole picture of language and culture policy to foreign countries developed by Chinese government. In the beginning, it makes clear what the definition of culture in China and what meaning culture has. After Deng Xiaoping's reforming and opening, "advanced culture" is proposed as one of the "three represents" theory advocated by fomer President Jiang Zemin and this is the concrete form of culture developing with the times. And "advanced culture" continues in the present Hu Jintao administration, and furthermore succeeded as "harmonious culture." Understanding the Chinese cultural policy from "advanced culture" to "harmonious culture" genealogically is able to say the core of absorbing modern Chinese cultural policies.It is clear on everyone's eye that Chinese cultural development and language policy going abroad is an accomplished development. There were feature changes in the overseas operations of cultural policies. In 1950s and 1960s, the main objects were socialist countries and developing countries. However, cultural exchange agreements were tied with Western countries gradually and many culture exchange programs were held. Furthermore, in 2000s, "China Year" and large-sized projects were organized that have characteristics of recent Chinese culture exchanges. These movements accelerate more culture exchanges. These Chinese positive promotions of foreign cultural exchange via the governments'agreement become effective way. Culture exchanges are related with forging overseas' market and more and more hopes for cultural industries'development and economic effects.Same as cultural exchange, there are big changes in overseas development of Chinese education. In the beginning, Chinese education as teaching Chinese for foreigners in China was focused. Gradually, overseas development began to respond to the increasing demands for Chinese. There are government backed supports in each period. Chinese language policies have progressed among foreign diplomacies. Confucius Institute has a role of cultural and language policy as "exporting Chinese language". Until Confucius Institute established, Taiwan had many overseas study programs. But the role was reversed in short period. The first Confucius Institute was built in Uzbekistan as pilot in 2004 and officially first one built in Seoul in same year. It is easy to recognize the fast growth that Confucius Institutes were established in 282 places in 84 countries in five years. Further development is aimed in present.There are several unique characteristics in Confucius Institutes which "export Chinese language." For example, Confucius, have big argument historically, was chosen as name board of Institutes, there are financial support to establish new institutes, and using tools as radio and internet. Computational relation with Taiwan, using same Chinese, is thoughtful. On the other hand, some critics appear that institutes are recognized as religious organization because of the naming Confucius. There are also pro and cons of Hanban's leading.For its role and development as a factor of soft power, there is big attention being paid toward the Confucius Institutes. The Chinese government focused on removing the negative image of China after the Cold War and Tienanmen Square Incidence. The "China threat" appears because of rapid economic development and military budget and more attention paid on soft power. Getting language and cultural policies overseas is one way that that's being considered for strengthening soft power. There are many notion of Chinese soft power, but enhancing soft power is conformed. Among the argument in soft power, position of Confucius Institutes is important. High-level government and leaders recognize that soft power is one of the important national strategies. So the government adopted policies to strengthen Confucius Institutes because Confucius Institutes are recognized as one way to doing cultural exchanges and teaching Chinese. On the other hand, in the working level, teaching Chinese and Chinese culture is the role to respond the demand. Using "power" is non-core.Confucius Institutes'rapid expansion will persist over a period of time. After passing that stage, it will enter the stage of stability and low increasing. As future assignment, it is the noticeable phenomenon how the relationship and positioning of soft power and Confucius Institutes will change in foreign affairs.