As China extends its global influence, Papua New Guinea, the largest Pacific Island nation, has become a significant focus. Beyond roads, bridges, and ports under the Belt and Road Initiative, China is also venturing into the realm of cultural and educational exchanges, where Chinese language programs serve as key instruments of soft power.
By promoting Mandarin language education, China aims to create a foundation for long-term people-to-people ties, potentially fostering favourable public perceptions and closer diplomatic relations beyond transactional economic relationships.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2017 paved the way for the establishment of Confucius Institutes and Chinese language centres at institutions such as the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae and the University of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands province. The aim was to introduce Mandarin language and Chinese culture to university students, faculty, and even the wider community, in a shift towards using educational diplomacy as a cornerstone of China’s engagement in PNG. Mandarin is integrated into academic programs as elective courses, allowing students from a range of disciplines to learn the language and earn credits toward their degrees. The programs go beyond language instruction, incorporating cultural workshops, traditional arts, and celebrations of Chinese festivals, thus offering a holistic approach to language learning.
These experiences create a network of Papua New Guineans with first-hand knowledge of China, who may influence PNG’s policy decisions and bilateral relations in the future.
The Butuka Academy in Port Moresby offers an example of the diverse reach of such programs. Built with Chinese assistance, the academy offers Mandarin classes alongside the national curriculum, catering to primary and secondary students. The introduction of Chinese language education at an early age is intended to foster a deeper cultural connection with China, creating familiarity that could influence future generations of Papua New Guineans in their educational and career choices.
Government and military institutions have also embraced Chinese language programs. China’s embassy in Port Moresby introduced a language program for PNG’s senior military officers and administrative staff. As more public servants and military officials engage in Mandarin learning, their ability to navigate interactions with Chinese officials and understand the cultural nuances of communication can lead to more effective bilateral cooperation.
Chinese language programs also facilitate the expansion of academic and professional exchanges. The Chinese Government Scholarship Program has grown in appeal among PNG students who have gained language skills and become more competitive for study opportunities in China. These experiences create a network of Papua New Guineans with first-hand knowledge of China, who may influence PNG’s policy decisions and bilateral relations in the future. As these students transition into leadership roles, the cultural and educational connections fostered through Chinese language programs could play a role in shaping PNG’s approach to foreign policy.
This diversification of programs appears to reflect an effort by China to target different segments of PNG’s population, from schoolchildren to university students and professionals, thereby embedding Chinese language and cultural education across a wide spectrum.
If managed carefully, Chinese language programs could help PNG diversify its international partnerships, allowing it to engage with China on its own terms while benefiting from increased educational and cultural exchange.
The spread of Chinese language centres across PNG is not without complexities. While the programs aim to build a positive cultural relationship with China, there are concerns about the broader geopolitical implications – illustrated by the jostling for influence by other powers, including Australia and the United States, who view China’s growing influence as a challenge to their own strategic interests in the Pacific.
For PNG, the challenge will be to leverage the benefits of Chinese language programs while maintaining a balanced foreign policy built around “friends to all”. The success of Chinese language programs will depend on how well they are integrated into PNG’s broader educational and diplomatic frameworks, ensuring that language and cultural exchange contributes to the country’s development and strategic interests without compromising its autonomy.
If managed carefully, Chinese language programs could help PNG diversify its international partnerships, allowing it to engage with China on its own terms while benefiting from increased educational and cultural exchange. The challenge for PNG will be to harness the opportunities presented while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape that comes with closer engagement with China.