China-Europe Academic and Cultural Cooperation:
From a Portuguese Perspective
Cristina Zhou
University of Coimbra
Abstract
Traditionally an ally of the USA, Portugal has maintained a surprisingly dynamic and productive dialogue with China in the recent years. During the (still ongoing) coronavirus crisis, we can clearly observe the up-and-downs in the Sino-Portuguese relation, which has been constantly impacted by mainstream of the US media. Based on our information and observation, we hold that Portugal has subtly adjusted its position to China, arguably more attuned to a pro-Atlantic rhetoric, while still maintaining its pragmatical features, as can be seen in Portugal’s recovery programme presented to the EU. In consequence of this reposition, we can reveal and foresee some profound changes in the Sino-Portuguese academic and cultural cooperation, which are our main concern and which, in our opinion, can be reflected in other European countries.
This paper will be divided into three parts. In the first part, we shall discuss the main impact of Portugal’s reorientation of its Atlantic strategy upon the Luso-Chinese relation, especially upon the academic and cultural dialogue between Portugal and China. In the second part, we will pay special attention to the Confucius Institutes as well as the Chinese community in Portugal. Using first-hand information, we propose to consider practical ways to cope with the new challenges and obstacles, as well as to bridge the (still significant) cultural gap between the two countries. In the third part, we propose to discuss the Sino-Portuguese academic and cultural cooperation in a post-pandemic world, underlining its opportunities in the near future.