Expanding Person-to-Person Diplomacy with Overseas Chinese

Abstract

In the current global context, with prominent multilateralism and multipolarity trends, China is seeing a rise in comprehensive strength and influence on the international stage. China has always upheld mutual respect, mutual benefits, and win-win situations for its diplomatic strategies and has launched the Belt and Road Initiative to actively unite neighboring countries and regions for common development and advancement. Person-to-person diplomacy is an important part of foreign affairs work, of which overseas Chinese are a force to be reckoned with. Overseas Chinese are also descendants of the Chinese nation, so it is easier to communicate with them concerning culture, language, characters, and ideas. Therefore, with Chinese in Indonesia as the research subjects, this paper provides a case study of the Confucius Institute jointly built by Xihua University and Universitas Sebelas Maret (Sebelas Maret University, UNS) to specifically explore how to expand person-to-person diplomacy, unite overseas Chinese, promote China-foreign exchanges and cooperation, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples with overseas Chinese as the bridge. Keywords: people-to-people diplomacy, confucius institute, overseas Chinese