This chapter critically examines claims that Confucius Institutes function as instruments of Chinese influence and propaganda. While some concerns are valid, many accusations are exaggerated or misplaced. Critics often conflate legitimate cultural and educational activities with malign intent, overlooking the fact that Western countries engage in comparable soft power initiatives. The chapter notes, for instance, that institutions like the British Council remain far more influential in China than Confucius Institutes are in the West. Confucius Institutes are also commonly portrayed as direct extensions of the Chinese state, disregarding their status as joint ventures involving multiple stakeholders whose priorities do not always align with Beijing’s. Drawing on the author’s research and experience organizing Belt and Road Initiative conferences that faced similar external criticism, the chapter explores these dynamics in depth. Despite the UK hosting the largest number of Confucius Institutes worldwide, public perceptions of China have markedly declined amid growing geopolitical tensions. As such, the risks they pose are often overstated, leading to calls for closure that risk undermining valuable opportunities for cultural exchange.