ABSTRACT
This chapter shows basic information about how the idea to create Confucius Institutes emerged in China, what the official purpose of Confucius Institutes is and why they are named after Confucius. Confucius Institutes is not just about the internationalisation of education, but that Confucius Institutes are a special representation of China's soft power, which is an important contribution to presenting a good image of China. Scepticism results from two related reasons which include the authoritarian nature of the Chinese political system as the initiator of these Institutes and, the unique set-up and organisational structure of Confucius Institutes. Criticism of Confucius Institutes comes from both international and domestic fields. Abroad, CIs are accused of being propaganda instruments of the Communist Party, and that they may interfere with, and undermine, the freedom of academic teaching. The Ministry of Finance commissioned the building and maintenance of the Confucius Institute Online website to a Hanban subsidiary company which was registered to Wang Yongli.
