Chinese Cultural Diplomacy in the 21st Century

This book examines the China Cultural Centre (CCC) project's establishment, operation, and programming through the lens of cultural diplomacy. The work illuminates the main structural and operational characteristics of the CCC project by highlighting their similarities and differences compared to other cultural diplomacy initiatives, especially the Confucius Institutes (CIs). It also provides insights on its working modes and associated activities, primarily based on the case of the CCC in Australia, supplemented by information from other CCCs. Furthermore, it sheds light on the implications for the CCC project, expanding current discussions about Chinese cultural diplomacy. The book holds that the operation and programming of CCCs reflect common views of Chinese cultural diplomacy-strategically orientated, state-led, and quantity-driven-while also highlighting the inclusion of foreign collaborators and a bottom-up strategy for facilitating engagement and understanding. This book will be of much interest to students of diplomacy studies, public diplomacy, foreign policy, Chinese politics, and international relations.

Minglei Wang holds a PhD from Flinders University, Australia, where he teaches in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

1 Introduction 2 Unpacking the Concept of Cultural Diplomacy: Related Terms and Divergent Definitions 3 How China Perceives Cultural Diplomacy: From the Perspectives of Foreign Policy and Soft Power 4 Mapping the China Cultural Centre Project: Development, Characteristics, and Practical Challenges 5 The China Cultural Centre Project's Working Mode 1: Global Coordination-Case Study of the Quatercentenary Commemoration of Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare's Passing 6 The China Cultural Centre Project's Working Mode 2: Partnership with Chinese Provincial-level Governments 7 The China Cultural Centre Project's Working Mode 3: Collaboration with Local Partners-the Exhibition of Jewish Refugees and Shanghai 8 The China Cultural Centre Project's Working Mode 3: Collaboration with Local Partners-the Exhibition of A Retrospective of Chinese Archibald Finalists 9 Conclusion Appendix: List of Interviews