As China’s economic and political presence in Africa increases, so does the need for its government to maintain a favorable image with African publics. Borrowing theories of soft power diplomacy and language planning, this paper analyzes, from the perspectives of African and Chinese policymakers, the impact of the Confucius Institutes on higher education in Africa and its intersections with language planning and cultural diplomacy. An empirical case study at the University of Nairobi Confucius Institute shows that policymakers and administrators anticipate that a competent group of Kenyans with Mandarin language skills will be able to engage with Chinese people and Chinese-owned companies on the ground in Kenya. However, Chinese diplomats are more concerned with China’s image and achieving its political and economic interests in Kenya than with effective cultural exchange and language instruction.
AjayiJGomaLJohnsonA (1996) The African Experience with Higher Education. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press.
2.
AlexanderN (2003) Language policy, symbolic power and the democratic responsibility of the post-apartheid university. Pretexts, Literary and Cultural Studies12(2): 179–190.
3.
AlexanderN (2004) The politics of language planning in post-apartheid South Africa. Language Problems and Language Planning28(2): 113–130.
4.
Assie-LumumbaN (2006) Higher Education in Africa. Crises, Reforms and Transformation. Dakar: Codesria.
5.
BodomoA (1996) On language and development in Africa: The case of Ghana. Nordic Journal of African Studies5: 31–51.
6.
BogonkoS (1992) A History of Modern Education in Kenya (1895–1991). Nairobi: Evans Brothers.
7.
BroadmanH (2007) Africa’s Silk Road: China and India’s New Economic Frontier. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
CummingsM (2003) Cultural diplomacy and the United States government: A survey. Center for Arts and Culture1–3.
10.
DingSSaundersR (2006) Talking up China: An analysis of China’s rising cultural power and global promotion of the Chinese language. East Asia23(2): 3–33.
11.
DunningJ (2002) Regions, Globalization, and the Knowledge-based Economy. London: Oxford University Press.
12.
Du ToitA (2000) From autonomy to accountability: Academic freedom under threat in South Africa?Social Dynamics26(1): 76–133.
Hanban (2010) Confucius institute at the university of Nairobi. The office of Chinese language council international. Available at: english.hanban.org/node_10908.htm (accessed 26 November 2012).
16.
Hanban (2011) Confucius institute at the university of Nairobi, general introduction. Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters). Available at: http://english.hanban.org/node_10908.htm (accessed 7 March 2013).
17.
HuangYDingS (2006) Dragon’s underbelly: An analysis of China’s soft power. East Asia23(4): 22–44.
18.
KamwangamaluN (2004) The language policy/language economics interface and mother-tongue education in post-apartheid South Africa. Language Problems & Language Planning28(2): 131–146.
19.
KurlantzickJ (2007) Charm Offensive: How China’s Soft Power is Transforming the World. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
20.
MailaMAwinoJ (2008) Reflections on quality education in African higher education. Africa Education Review5(2): 239–252.
Ministry of Tourism (Kenya) (2010) Tourism performance report 2009: International arrivals by air and sea. Tourism Performance Overview 2010. Available at: http://www.tourism.go.ke/ministry.nsf/pages/facts_figures (accessed 12 August 2011).
23.
MufweneSVigourouxC (2008) Colonization, globalization, and language vitality in Africa: An introduction. In: MufweneSVigourouxC (eds) Globalization and Language Vitality: Perspectives from Africa. London: Continuum, 1–31.
24.
MugendaO (2010) Remarks by Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University Professor Olive Mugenda. (Transcription of speech by the author). The Program for the Launch of the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, 3 June 2010.
25.
MusyokaK (2010) Formal Address by the Vice-President of Kenya the Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka M.P. (Transcription of speech by the author). The Program for the Launch of the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, 3 June 2010.
26.
NyeJ (2003) The Paradox of American Power: Why the World’s Only Superpower Can’t Go it Alone. London: Oxford University Press.
27.
Okoth-OkomboD (2001) Language Policy: The Forgotten Parameter in African Development and Governance Strategies. Nairobi: University of Nairobi Press.
28.
ParadiseJ (2009) China and international harmony: The role of Confucius Institutes in bolstering Beijing’s soft power. Asian Survey49(4): 647–669.
29.
PrahKBrock-UtneB (2009) Multilingualism, An African Advantage: A Paradigm Shift in African Languages of Instruction Policies. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society.
30.
SaintW (1992) Universities in Africa: Strategies for Stabilization and Revitalization. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
31.
SamoffJCarrolB (2004) The promise of partnership and continuities of dependence: External support to higher education in Africa. African Studies Review: 67–199.
32.
SchmidtP (2010) At US colleges, Chinese-financed centers prompt worries about academic freedom. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 22October, A8.
33.
SchneiderC (2009) The unrealized potential of cultural diplomacy: ‘Best practices’ and what could be, if only…. The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society39(4): 260–279.
