Institutos Confucio en Colombia: un análisis desde la teoría de Nye

Abstract

Among the foreign policy strategies of a State it is possible to acknowledge the use of culture and political values as a way of attracting the interest of other nations, improve relations and the understanding of other cultures, and, as a consequence, legitimize its power and strengthen its influence, projection and international position. This article studies the creation of Confucius Institutes in Colombia as part of the diplomatic strategy of the People's Republic of China foreign policy to strengthen its position and influence over Latin America. Through methodological tools such as surveys, interviews and field work in the institutes, the operation of the Confucius Institute at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University is explained, as well as the diplomatic elements in its operating model. It is concluded that the implementation of these institutes in Colombia, as in the rest of the world, is part of a strategy of the Asian country to fulfill its national interest objectives through the expansion of its culture and language, following a structured, coordinated and attractive plan.