The Development of Educational Diplomacy as a Tool of Promoting the PRC Foreign Policy Goals, 2013-2023

At present, China is actively strengthening its global position through educational diplomacy. Over the past ten years, it has greatly expanded educational programs abroad by providing scholarships, organizing student and scholar exchanges, and opening educational institutions and cultural centers abroad. The objectives of this study are to examine the role and characteristics of educational diplomacy in China, to analyze the impact of this diplomacy on the country's global position, and to assess the effectiveness of its use in advancing China's foreign policy interests. Academic and educational-methodological sources, as well as official and informational materials were used as literature for the study of the topic. The main authors who reveal the importance of education as a tool for establishing friendly relations are Kuzmina V. M., Peterson P. M., and Pu L. On the other hand, the works of De Mario M., Seymour M., Tremblay K. indicate that education can become an object of politicization and not always serve as a soft method for creating a positive image in the eyes of other countries. The first chapter uses the method of comparison and content analysis of news from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese government to identify the main trend in the use of educational diplomacy. In the second chapter, a statistical method was used to determine the number of Confucius Institutes in operation, and a discourse method was used to identify the effectiveness of educational programs offered by Chinese universities. In the third chapter, an interview method to obtain students' opinions regarding the quality of educational programs and the usefulness of Confucius Institute events. The application of educational diplomacy will strengthen China's position on the world stage. The study shows the important role of educational programs and Confucius Institutes in building influence, creating positive perceptions of the country, and developing diplomatic ties.