Description
Since its inception in 2004, the Confucius Institute (CI) program has faced widespread global criticism, leading to closures across Europe. Yet, Italy stands out with a divergent approach: a drive to bolster local CIs while neighbouring European nations sever their ties. The research delves into Italy's reception of China’s soft power efforts through the lens of Confucius Institutes. It scrutinizes over 50 Italian newspaper articles since 2010 and conducts in-depth interviews with the 12 directors of Italian CIs, offering insights into their roles, daily operations, and challenges. The findings reveal a notable shift in Italy's portrayal of CIs, particularly post-2019 following the Hong Kong protests. Despite mounting public scepticism fueled by Italy's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, this sentiment falls short of the vehement contestation witnessed in countries like Germany. Intriguingly, Italian legal frameworks and the directors’ positive interactions with Chinese counterparts have prevented institutional debates regarding the initiative's legitimacy, shaping the country's distinct perspective on the issue.
