China and the Arab countries have a long history of exchange. Since the beginning of the new century，bilateral relations have been deepening and expanding at all levels. The establishment of Confucius Institutes throughout the Arab world is a reflection of China’s cultural soft power as well as the modern version of the Silk Road，which serves to facilitate communication between the two civilizations. This article focuses on the overall situation of Confucius Institute building in the Arab countries，difficulties encountered，and the new challenges after the Arab revolution before some tentative suggestions are raised towards the end.