Academic Mobility as an Instrument of PRC’s Foreign Policy

The article examines the phenomenon of international academic mobility as an integral component of the foreign policy strategy of the People’s Republic of China. The evolution of the Chinese leadership’s approaches to educational exchanges and their transformation from a utilitarian means of borrowing technology to a multifunctional “soft power” tool is analyzed. The paper discusses the main mechanisms for implementing educational diplomacy, including state scholarship programs, the activities of Confucius Institutes, and the attraction of foreign students. The author concludes that for the PRC, academic mobility is a strategic resource aimed at shaping a positive international image, expanding cultural influence, and creating long-term loyalty networks among foreign elites.