The Impact of Overseas Competitions in Chinese Traditional Instrumental Music on the Development of the Global Musical Landscape

Abstract

Within the context of accelerating globalization, overseas competitions have increasingly served as a mechanism for the international circulation of Chinese traditional instrumental music. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative observation of multiple international competitions since 2006, this study explores how competition-based platforms may relate to audience diversification, non-Chinese participation, and institutional embedding within global music ecologies. The findings suggest that such competitions extend beyond performance, operating as cultural infrastructures that support learner engagement, pedagogical development, and intercultural dialogue. Through converging organizational practices from Chinese and Western traditions, these platforms facilitate standardized training frameworks, enhance international visibility, and contribute to the growth of learning communities. The analysis also notes structural challenges, including financial precarity, logistical complexity, and variability in adjudication criteria. It outlines possible responses involving diversified funding models, coordinated organizational mechanisms, and complementary educational initiatives. Overall, overseas competitions may contribute to ongoing processes of globalization in Chinese traditional instrumental music and offer perspectives on positioning non-Western musical traditions within global music ecosystems