The British National Context of Confucius Institutes: Navigating Shifting and Divided China Policies

This chapter analyses how the British national context has shaped a distinctive political environment for Confucius Institutes. In contrast to other Western countries where closures have been widespread, the United Kingdom (UK) continues to host the largest number of Confucius Institutes—a paradox against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions between China and the West. The chapter argues that this outcome reflects the UK’s complex and fragmented China policy. British approaches to China have oscillated sharply, shifting from self-identifying in 2015 as China’s “strongest supporter in the West” during the short-lived UK–China “Golden Era” to subsequently becoming one of its most vocal critics. These shifts are compounded by persistent internal divisions within government, manifested both horizontally across central departments and vertically between central and devolved administrations. While some actors emphasize economic opportunity and advocate pragmatic engagement, others adopt a security-driven perspective that favours caution or confrontation. This fragmented and evolving policy environment has created a uniquely British context in which Confucius Institutes must continually adapt in order to sustain their operations and relevance.