Chinese students at UK universities being 'pressured to spy on classmates', think tank report warns
The UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank suggested the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is monitoring discussions on British campuses via students.
It is thought the move is intended to suppress discourse on issues which are sensitive to the Chinese government.
UKCT researchers questioned 50 academics working in the Chinese studies field and found many were concerned about the influence of Beijing.
One lecturer said their Chinese students had 'confided' that they had been asked to spy on campus events by Chinese police.
Another scholar said they were told by Chinese students that 'surveillance is omnipresent' and that they are 'interviewed by officials' when they return to China.
The report also claimed Chinese government officials had warned lecturers to avoid discussing certain topics in their classes.
It comes days after a new law came into force placing more responsibility on universities to uphold academic freedom and free speech.
However, UKCT said some universities are reluctant to address the issue of Chinese interference because of their financial reliance on Chinese student fees.
The report alleged that some Chinese academics involved in sensitive research had been denied visas by the Chinese government.
Meanwhile others said family members back in China had been harassed or threatened because of their work in the UK.
These sensitive topics included the alleged ethnic cleansing in China's Xinjiang region, the outbreak of Covid or the rise of Chinese technology companies, according to the report.
Some academics reported intimidation by visiting scholars or other Chinese officials, as well as by staff at Confucius Institutes.
These are partnership organisations operating at several UK universities, working with institutions in China.
They promote Chinese culture and language on UK campuses, but have been criticised over alleged ties to the CCP.
A Chinese Embassy spokesman said the country had always adhered to its policy of not interfering with other countries' internal affairs.
They told the BBC the report was 'groundless and absurd', adding that China respects freedom of speech in the UK and elsewhere.
A spokesman for Universities UK, which represents 141 institutions, said: 'Anyone working or studying at our universities should know that their rights to personal and academic freedom are protected when they are on British soil.'
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK 'will not be tolerated'.
She said academic freedom was 'non-negotiable in our world-leading institutions', adding that the implementation of the new legislation made that 'explicitly clear'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
44 minutes ago
- The Independent
Planned Palestine Action protest will not try to overwhelm police
A campaign group has denied that its planned mass protest in support of Palestine Action will try to overwhelm the police and justice system. The Metropolitan Police and other forces nationwide have warned anyone found to be expressing support for Palestine Action will be arrested, following the Government's decision to ban the organisation last month. Defend Our Juries said it planned to bring together at least 500 people for its planned demonstration against the ban on Saturday with organisers 'very confident' they have recruited enough participants, a spokesperson for the campaign group said. A formal announcement will be made on Tuesday as to whether that figure has been reached and the demonstration will go ahead. More then 200 people were arrested at a wave of protests across the UK in response to the proscription last month, as part of the campaign co-ordinated by Defend Our Juries. Many of the protesters were detained after writing and holding up the message 'I oppose genocide I support Palestine Action' on placards or pieces of cardboard. A Defend Our Juries spokesperson told the PA news agency: 'It is wrong to characterise this (planned demonstration) as a plan to overwhelm the police and court systems. 'If we are allowed to protest peacefully and freely, then that is no bother to anyone.' In a further statement on its website, the campaign group said the Government had 'overreached itself' by banning Palestine Action and it was 'vital' that its campaign succeeded. 'Our groups and movements are coming together like never before, finding unity under repression,' it added. 'By refusing to give into fear and by standing together, we will face down this assault on us all.' No location for the protest has so far been shared, but it is understood that it will take place in London and will be the only demonstration that Defend Our Juries organises on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police said it would have 'the resources and processes in place to respond' to the planned large gathering. A force spokesperson said: 'We are aware that the organisers of Saturday's planned protest are encouraging hundreds of people turn out with the intention of placing a strain on the police and the wider criminal justice system. 'The Met is very experienced in dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality requiring arrests. 'While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality. 'Our officers will continue to apply the law in relation to Palestine Action as we have done since its proscription. 'Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.' Those interested in joining the demonstration have been asked to come to briefing calls on Tuesday or Thursday, while some have had non-violence training arranged for them, Defend Our Juries said. The move to ban Palestine Action came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident it subsequently claimed, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'. A High Court ruling on Wednesday decided that Palestine Action's co-founder Huda Ammori had several 'reasonably arguable' beliefs in her challenge over the group's ban that would be heard at a three-day hearing in November, but a bid to pause the ban temporarily was refused. The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Starmer pays tribute after death of ex-Labour general secretary Tom Sawyer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes following the death of former Labour Party general secretary Lord Tom Sawyer. He said the former trade unionist's 'place in our party's history is assured' as one of the leading figures in the build-up to the 1997 general election success. Lord Sawyer had been one of the key figures in the New Labour era and was credited with helping to steer through the reforms to the party in the run-up to Tony Blair's landslide win. Sir Keir said: 'I am deeply sorry to hear of the death of Tom Sawyer. From the factory floor to the House of Lords, he was driven throughout his life by an unrelenting belief in the dignity of working people and opportunity for all. 'As a trade unionist, he drove that mission forward. As general secretary of the Labour Party, he was integral to delivering the victory in 1997 that transformed the nation. 'His place in our party's history is assured and his loss will be felt deeply by the many people who admired and loved him. 'My thoughts are with his family at this time.' Lord Sawyer served as Labour's general secretary from 1994 until 1998 when he stood down and was made a peer as Lord Sawyer of Darlington. Before becoming Labour's general secretary he served as deputy general secretary of the National Union of Public Employees and deputy general secretary of Unison. Labour's current general secretary Hollie Ridley said: 'Lord Tom Sawyer served the Labour Party and Labour movement with distinction. 'As general secretary, member of the National Executive Committee and as a trade unionist, he played a significant role in the transformation of our party from years in opposition before leading Labour through the 1997 landslide general election victory. 'Tom's legacy is the legacy of those great Labour governments that rebuilt Britain's public services, lifted millions out of poverty and delivered change to the lives of people throughout his beloved north east of England. 'On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who were close to him.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Nigel Farage accused of spreading ‘unevidenced fears' about asylum seekers
Nigel Farage has been accused by charities of spreading 'unevidenced fears' over asylum seekers in his latest tirade on those who illegally enter the UK on small boats. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Reform UK leader claimed foreign migrants made the dangerous crossing 'because they know they have an over 99 per cent chance of staying'. He said they came to be 'looked after' with free healthcare and £49-a-week 'pocket money', adding 'while they are at it probably work illegally either in delivery services or drugs or whatever it may be'. His comments came less than 24 hours after protesters were accused of trying to break into a hotel housing asylum seekers in Canary Wharf. In response to a reporter's question, Mr Farage rejected he was steering people into fear to persuade them to vote for Reform. He said: 'We have to recognise something, there are some people who come from certain cultures that pose a danger to our society.' But his comments have been met with a strong reaction from charities. Care4Calais, a British charity supporting asylum seekers in France, said Mr Farage's 'populist politics' were a danger to UK communities. Chief executive Steve Smith said: "It's hardly surprising that the politician who inflamed last summer's race riots would spread unevidenced fear about people seeking sanctuary again. 'His [Mr Farage's] form of populism doesn't require facts, it is built on dangerous, unsourced, ill-informed divisive soundbites. It sows division in our communities, and like last summer race riots, it puts the lives of people seeking sanctuary in danger." Hope Not Hate, an advocacy group that campaigns against racism, also reacted to the comments at the press conference, held to unveil Reform UK's policy for the criminal justice system. A charity spokesperson said: 'Farage trades on fear because it galvanises his supporter base and keeps the spotlight on the issues he wants to exploit, immigration and 'law and order'. By talking up crime he positions himself as the lone strong-man solution. 'However, Reform's approach to law and order is deeply hypocritical. Reform figures have excused rioters at anti-migrant protests, and even praised vandalism of ULEZ cameras. It's cuffs for opponents and leniency for friends. " The office of Sadiq Khan also responded to a remark made by Mr Farage in which he told a reporter she would not walk through the West End of London after 9pm wearing jewellery. The office shared Met Police data that showed the number of robberies had fallen 20 per cent over the past 12 months, compared to a decrease of 12 per cent across London. A spokesperson said: 'Nothing is more important to the Mayor than keeping Londoners safe.' Reform UK has been approached by The Independent for comment. Also at the press conference, Mr Farage claimed there has been a 'cover-up' of details about an alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton. Two men have been charged in relation to the alleged incident in the Warwickshire town. Mr Farage linked a perceived lack of information from police to what happened in Southport last July, saying he wanted to discuss a 'cover-up that in many ways is reminiscent of what happened after the Southport killings last year'.
