Research on the Digitalization of International Chinese Language Education (2000-2023): A Bibliometric Analysis from a Global Perspective

The convergence of digital technology and language instruction has sparked a surge in the practice and research on digitalized international Chinese language education worldwide. However, a comprehensive overview of the field's evolution remains lacking. To systematically present the current research landscape, this study utilizes a dataset comprising 276 Chinese and 144 English articles from 2000 to 2023, retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and the Web of Science (WoS) databases. Employing bibliometric methods and the knowledge visualization tool CiteSpace, the study generates scientific knowledge maps. By analyzing publication trends in different phases, prominent journals, core authors and institutes, highly cited works, keywords, and other dimensions, this study outlines the overall development trajectory of the field and highlights differences between Chinese and English literature. Based on these findings, the study provides recommendations for journals, researchers, institutions, and publications involved in the digitalization of international Chinese language education, aiming to advance future practices and research in the field and promote the high-quality development of global Chinese education.