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Transcript/Script
FOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Confucius Institutes in Latam (revised)
HEADLINE: China’s Confucius Institutes Advance in Latin America
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 04/202022 at 12:40pm
BYLINE: Jaime Moreno
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Spanish Service
VIDEO EDITOR: Cristina Smits
PRODUCER: Mary Cieslak
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, storyblocks, Reuters, see courtesy
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: THIS IS A REVISED SCRIPT – previously published))
((INTRO))
[[Confucius Institutes, sponsored by the Chinese government, have been operating around the world for years, including in Latin America. Promoted as way for students to learn about China and its culture, critics say they are a bid by Beijing to gain influence in colleges and universities to help promote China’s foreign policy agenda. Reporter Jaime Moreno takes a look at some of the institutes operating in Latin America.]]
((NARRATOR))
China's expanding role in Latin America is not limited to trade, investments, loans, and infrastructure. It's also moving fast on college campuses.
((VOA ANIMATION))
Beijing launched the Confucius Institutes in 2004 as a place where students can learn Mandarin, participate in cultural events, and apply for scholarships to study in China.
The first Confucius Institute in Latin America opened in 2016 in Mexico, and since then ((Courtesy: CLEC Foundation)) the initiative has expanded to 23 countries in the region. Most institutes are located on university campuses – and the aim is to expand China’s influence, say observers.
((Jake Gilstrap, 'Chinese Confucius Institutes in Latin America' Author)) ((ENGLISH))
“China is seeking to create a generation of future leaders in Latin America. Business leaders, politicians, diplomats, that through their close relationships and cultural understanding of China because of these institutes, will come to view the world in a way that is more like China's worldview.”
((NARRATOR))
The San Francisco University in Quito, Ecuador, hosts one such institute. Many students say the scholarships offered by the Chinese government are one of the main reasons they decided to join.
((Anthony Trujillo, Confucius Institute Student)) ((IN SPANISH))
“It’s precisely at this stage of my International Relations career that I’ve realized I have the chance to go abroad, specifically to China to pursue a master's degree.”
((NARRATOR))
Enrollment at the San Francisco university campus has increased from 40 to 300 students since the Confucius center opened in 2010.
((Daniela Jiménez, Confucius Institute Student)) ((SPANISH))
“As Latino students we look for job offers abroad.
((NARRATOR))
Some Latin American scholars worry about their impact on academic freedom.
((Parsifal D’Sola, Andrés Bello Foundations Director)) ((in Spanish))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“While there is a greater participation of Latin American professors in research financed by some Chinese government entity, we will see less criticism within universities or by experts in respect to China. And that is something that benefits China, its international image.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. State Department has characterized the Confucius Institutes as part of the Chinese communist party’s effort to “subvert and undermine academic freedom in universities around the world.”
China’s embassy in Washington rejects this, saying in a statement that the institute’s classes are “open and transparent and strictly comply with the regulations of the host institutions.”
Some Latin American academics associated with the institutes agree.
((Norberto Consani, Confucius Institute Director in Argentina)) ((IN SPANISH))
“Teachers are very cautious. There are no political economy classes, zero. Only language instruction.”
((NARRATOR))
Groups like Human Rights Watch criticize the Confucius Institutes, saying certain topics like human rights, Taiwan, and other sensitive issues are censored in class discussions. The aim is to create a sanitized image of China, say observers.
((Adam Ratzlaff, Latin American Specialist (in English) ))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“In the case of the Confucius Institutes, it is largely a monologue. It presents a very specific image of China that is not very critical.”
((NARRATOR))
Differing views of Confucius Institutes will continue as they expand in Latin America and elsewhere.
((Jaime Moreno, for VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 20, 2022 12:52 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
