Confucius Institute aims to spread the word about China

the Confucius

Five hundred million more people speak Mandarin than English as a native language. But - and it's a big but -150 million people speak English as a second language, while just 20 million non-native speakers understand Mandarin.

It's a situation the Chinese government is keen to change. In 2004 the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) initiated the Confucius Institute project that will see 500 Confucius Institutes established around the world by 2010. Already 210 Confucius Institutes have been set up in 64 countries, and now it's Sydney's turn.

The University's new centre, which opens this year, will provide Chinese language classes for members of the public and the business community, and will also promote Chinese cultural events and activities, said Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, director of the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific that will manage the Confucius Institute.

Professor McConchie added that with the new federal government's emphasis on second language acquisition, the Confucius Institute could assist with professional development for school teachers and provide accreditation for Chinese language teachers.

"The Confucius Institute will really build a bridge between Australia and China and promote understanding between the two countries," she said. "The institute will provide a unique insider's view of Chinese traditions for Australians wishing to build connections with or increase understanding of the most populous country on earth."

The institute will present five workshops next semester on Chinese business culture, the changing legal system in China, and the philosophy and practice of traditional Chinese medicine.

Sydney's Confucius Institute is the fourth in Australia. Housed in the International Office in the Old Teachers' College, it was established with a start-up grant of $100,000 from the Beijing government.

Professor Mayfair Yang, the acting director, explained that every institute around the world is partnered with a Chinese university. Sydney's partner is Fudan University in Shanghai, which will send one Chinese language teacher and Professor Gao Yuanbao, a scholar of modern Chinese literature.

"Sydney already has ongoing relationships and exchanges with Fudan University, especially in the fields of public health and music. One couldn't ask for better, and there is also a natural affinity between the cities of Sydney and Shanghai," said Professor Yang.

However, Professor Jocelyn Chey, a Visiting Professor in the School of Languages and Cultures and a former senior diplomat, says the worldwide network of Confucius institutes are part of a "charm offensive" by China, and has called for safeguards to protect the independence of Sydney's new centre.

She told UniNews: "If a university accepts money from any foreign government - or even a company - you need to put in place safeguards to protect your independence."

Professor McConchie responded: "The Institute is managed outside the faculties, won't be involved in faculty research and is jointly funded. In my mind it's no different to the Alliance Française, where there is a vested interest in promoting language and understanding of culture.

"My philosophy is that you engage with the country even though you might have some disagreement in terms of human rights or whatever. It's much better to be engaged than sit on the sidelines and point fingers."

Professor Yang said: "Learning Chinese language can help Australians directly communicate with Chinese from all walks of life. Bringing an outside point of view into China can gradually change the Chinese mindset about issues that the West cares about."

Professor McConchie said the Institute would "provide a focus for cultural and language understanding, and I think that's different from the many research partnerships the University has with China, which are really on an academic-to-academic basis".

The Confucius Institute will be officially opened on 17 June during Confucius Week at the University. Chinese language and culture programs will start next semester.

Contact: Claudia Liu

Phone: 02 9351 3191