Authors: Acevedo, S., & Hernández, D. (2024).
Abstract:
China's position as Chile's primary trading partner has involved significant efforts to study the economic and diplomatic aspects of Sino-Chilean relations. However, examining the spaces and organizations that serve as loci for Sino-Chilean cultural and interpersonal exchange, such as the Confucius Institutes, is crucial.
This study focuses on the Confucius Institutes in Chile, exploring their role as bi-regional organizations in Sino-Chilean relations. While China is Chile's main trading partner, this analysis aims to understand how the Confucius Institutes facilitate cultural and interpersonal exchange between the two countries.
The study employed 19 semi-structured qualitative interviews and participant and non-participant observation of various activities at Chilean Confucius Institutes. This methodology allowed for an analysis of these organizations' educational and cultural aspects.
This study is notable for its anthropological perspective on the Confucius Institutes, considering their bi-regional nature and the challenges they face in a dual management context. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding how they are perceived and received in diverse political and cultural contexts.
The Confucius Institutes in Chile not only have a linguistic and cultural impact, evidenced by the increase in students interested in learning Mandarin, but they also act as intercultural mediators. Their adaptation to local contexts, such as the Chilean one, is crucial for their role as facilitators of cultural exchange and the development of an intercultural perspective.