Pursuing Ideal Partnerships: The Discourse of Instrumentalism in the Policies and Practices of Sino-Foreign Higher Education Cooperation

There have been evolving models of international higher education cooperation with China, with earlier studies (Tang & Nollent, 2007; Fazackerley, 2007) outlining entry approaches of non-Chinese education providers into China primarily through joint-venture partnerships. This study argues that such partnerships are not clearly defined, nor understood. Using an analysis of policy documents and two case studies: the Sino-Danish Center and the Sino-British College, this chapter considers the changes in Chinese policies with respect to Sino-foreign partnerships and explores differences between Chinese and foreign understandings of partnership in higher education in order to propose a new understanding of the Chinese policy ideal. By diagnosing the defining discourse of instrumentalism (Stier, 2004) that characterises both the shifting policies and daily practices of these partnerships, we highlight how policies interact with the practices and give rise to different modes of Sino-foreign higher education partnerships. The pursuit of ‘equal partnership’ is highlighted as part of this instrumentalist evolution. Our work has implications for those involved in and considering partnerships in China but also a cautionary guide to those contemplating a partnership ‘on the cheap’.