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Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Can ‘China Studies' still be trusted?
It is generally agreed that Britain needs to improve its China capabilities. That a greater understanding of Chinese culture, history and language is needed in the UK was one of the few tangible findings from the government's 'China audit', the bare bones of which were published earlier this year. But what happens when institutions responsible for building those capabilities are compromised by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)? That is the worrying question arising from a report published this week into the state of China Studies in British universities, which details a chilling pattern of spying, intimidation, harassment and self-censorship at the hands of the CCP. The report, by UK-China Transparency, a charity that seeks to shed light on some of the darker corners of Britain's relationship with Beijing, suggests that the CCP is seeking to replicate on British campuses the repressive control it exercises at home. The report is based on evidence from a survey of 50 academics in the field of China Studies, and includes allegations that Chinese students have been pressured to spy on classmates. There are also claims that the CCP has sought to restrict critical research by threatening scholars' family members in China and by warning university administrators about their financial dependence on China. Others reported digital and verbal harassment and the demotion by one university of an academic who was deemed to be a threat to relations with China. 'This survey presents strong evidence that CCP-linked repression has had and may continue to have a distortive effect on our China studies system, disincentivising sensitive yet critical research,' the report concludes. This is not the first time that China Studies have come under scrutiny. A highly critical report by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee warned in July 2023 that the CCP was using money and influence in order to 'penetrate or buy academia' in order to 'ensure its international narrative is advanced and criticism suppressed.' It said China had stifled debate by exerting influence over the institutions, Chinese students and over academics, who had been offered professional inducements including travel opportunities and research funding. Amnesty International has also described the routine intimidation and harassment of Chinese students by CCP loyalists and informers, with students reporting that their families in China were targeted and threatened by police if they engaged in activism overseas. The CCP-linked Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and Confucius Institutes are central to this surveillance, but continue to be indulged by British universities. The CSSA, overseen by the Chinese embassy, is the CCP's eyes and ears on campus, while Chinese government-funded Confucius Institutes, ostensibly language and cultural organisations, have been accused of censorship and surveillance. British universities host thirty Confucius Institutes, more than any other country. Almost all UK government spending on Mandarin language teaching in British schools – with at least £27m allocated from 2015 to 2024 – is channelled through university-based Confucius Institutes. However, not only are they funded by Beijing, but Chinese teaching staff are vetted for their political loyalty. A mandatory application form for teachers going abroad requires that applicants be vetted by a CCP committee and have references detailing their 'political attitude' and their ability to implement the Party's 'request and report system' –surveilling and informing on colleagues, students and others they come into contact with, in other words, while propagating CCP propaganda. They have come under close scrutiny and have had their activities curtailed in Europe, Canada, the US and Australia. Last week, it was reported that six Australian universities have quietly closed their Confucius Institutes, halving their presence in Australia, following growing concerns over CCP influence operations. Sweden was the that first country in Europe to close all its institutes over similar concerns. However, they continue to thrive in Britain. In June, during a statement on the 'China audit', Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that enhancing China capabilities was a 'core focus' of the government, and that action would be taken to improve Mandarin language learning among civil servants. The internationally recognised test of Mandarin language proficiency for non-native speakers is called the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), and it contains 6 different levels. There are 19 authorised test centres in the UK – and all but one of them are run by Confucius Institutes. In other words aspiring diplomats and business people, looking to take on some of the most sensitive and challenging roles in business and diplomacy, are having their language skills (and probably much else) assessed by a CCP-front organisation. This would be almost comical if the implications were not so potentially far reaching. There have been some small victories in the battle against CCP influence in academia. The China Forum (formerly the China Centre) at Jesus College, Cambridge, whose stated mission was to 'deepen mutual understanding between China and the West', is due to close next month after heavy criticism over the transparency of its funding, its partnerships and its parroting of CCP propaganda. While it is sad to see the demise of any academic institution, the Forum had become little more than a Beijing mouthpiece, allowing little room for subjects deemed offensive by the CCP. Britain's largest China Studies centre, the Lau Institute at King's College London, has resisted demands for greater transparency over funding. In an earlier report, UK-China Transparency revealed that its biggest donor by far, who has given at least £11 million, is a Hong Kong tycoon with links to the CCP. King's has rejected Freedom of Information requests for details of any terms and conditions attached to its funding and about the broader system by which it assesses the ethics of donations. This month, a potentially powerful new tool comes into law – the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act. In theory at least, this mandates the Office of Students (OfS) to ensure freedom of expression on campuses. As Skills Minister Jacqui Smith put it, universities should be 'places of rigorous debate', and 'any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated.' If she is serious, and the law is strictly enforced, it is hard to see how Confucius Institutes or the CSSA can survive on British campuses. The OfS is reportedly examining both. And if evidence is needed, it can be found in abundance in the halls and classrooms of Britain's China Studies centres, so badly hollowed out by fear and harassment.
The National
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
The Scottish universities accept millions from firms linked to China
Some universities accepted money from companies and institutions with ties to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China, including those which are sanctioned by other countries. Other universities took funding from institutions and tech firms accused of helping the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spy on and target users, spread misinformation and abuse human rights. The director-general of MI5 last year warned vice-chancellors that China and other states the UK Government views as adversaries are attempting to steal technology from universities that can 'deliver their authoritarian, military and commercial priorities'. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said The Ferret's research suggests that funding from CCP-linked organisations in Scottish higher education is particularly prevalent. This, it claimed 'should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public'. READ MORE: Labour blasted as 'deeply authoritarian' over plans to proscribe Palestine Action However, the Chinese Embassy in London has accused critics and media outlets of 'politicising and stigmatising normal educational exchanges between the two countries'. It has denied the use of subversive tactics abroad and argues that research collaboration with UK universities has 'enhanced mutual understanding'. The Ferret asked Scotland's universities to disclose funding they received from Chinese organisations between 2020/21 and 2024/25. Ten universities collectively received at least £39.7 million of funding. Of that, £5.5m came from organisations allegedly linked to the military, human rights abuses or spying, or was used to fund controversial Confucius Institutes. These are CCP-funded educational and cultural programmes on UK campuses which have been accused of monitoring and censoring UK students, and pushing propaganda. Dundee University refused The Ferret's request while others withheld some information which, they argued, was commercially sensitive. As such, the true total could be higher. Edinburgh University received more than £11m in research funding from unnamed Chinese organisations but it did not provide further detail. The university said it was not feasible to provide a complete list of possible funding from China. Some of Edinburgh Napier University's funding, £1.2m, came from unnamed Chinese partners for transnational education programmes. St Andrews University would only provide funding information for named organisations, rather than any from China. Military links SOME universities accepted money from Chinese organisations with military ties. Strathclyde University received £130,000 in research funding from Wuxi Paike New Materials Technology, which makes metal forgings for the Chinese military. Strathclyde did not specify when it received the money from the firm, which was sanctioned by the US government in December 2020 due to its military links. Strathclyde also accepted £22,100 for 'research studentship/knowledge exchange' from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on an undisclosed date. The academy is designated 'medium risk' by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), due to its alleged weapons research. ASPI is a defence think tank founded by the Australian Government. It has been described as having a hawkish stance on China and has received funding from overseas governments, including the US and UK, as well as the defence industry. In 2020, a drone submarine developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences was found by an Indonesian fisherman in the South China Sea and thought to be on a possible covert mission by military observers. The following year, in October 2021, Robert Gordon University (RGU) was given £46,820 by the academy to research spectral imaging – a method of capturing highly detailed images. An RGU spokesperson said the research collaboration was transferred to the university in 2021 after it appointed a professor from Strathclyde who was working on the project. The collaboration ended in 2023. In April this year, The Times reported that RGU, Aberdeen and Strathclyde universities were among 23 UK institutions to have signed an agreement with Chinese institutions with alleged military links, despite warnings from MI5. Surveillance and spying allegations SOME universities accepted money from tech firms, including those accused of helping the CCP to spy on users, and spread misinformation. Heriot-Watt University received between £150,000 and £200,000 from tech firm Huawei to research wireless communications hardware between November 2020 and November 2021. In July 2020, it was announced that Huawei will be banned from UK infrastructure by the end of 2027 over fears it could facilitate spying from China. In 2019, we reported that universities and Police Scotland refused to sever links with the tech giant despite fears their devices may be used to spy for Beijing. Huawei has previously said it had never been asked by the CCP to spy and 'would categorically refuse to comply'. In 2022/23, Edinburgh University accepted £127,973 from tech firm, Tencent, to fund a research project called 'serving big machine learning models'. Allegations of mass surveillance and human rights abuses by Tencent were reported years earlier. READ MORE: Scottish Government announces £3 million in funding for 14 festivals CCP committees within Tencent ensure that the state's 'political goals are pursued', according to a 2020 study from ASPI. A 2022 report from Human Rights Watch claimed that via its messaging app, WeChat, Tencent 'censors and surveils' users on the CCP's behalf and 'hands over user data to authorities when 'sensitive' information is discovered'. 'There have been numerous reports about people getting harassed, detained, or imprisoned for their private messages on WeChat,' it added. A 2020 study from the University of Toronto found that WeChat also monitored users outwith China. Tencent has rejected claims that the CCP uses WeChat for spying. WeChat reportedly spread Russian propaganda and misinformation surrounding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, while suppressing posts sympathetic to Kyiv, but Tencent declined to comment on the claims. In January, the US added Tencent to a list of businesses it claims work with China's military. Tencent has denied the allegations. Monitoring, restrictions and propaganda SOME organisations funding Scotland's universities have allegedly policed overseas students and restricted their freedoms. Most of these financial contributions were used to fund Confucius Institutes at Scottish universities. Confucius Institutes teach Chinese language and culture, but have been accused of monitoring students, spreading state propaganda, censoring topics – such as the independence of Taiwan – and stifling free speech on campuses. China has rejected the allegations. In 2021, a former Chinese diplomat, who defected to Australia, told The Ferret that China tries to control international students at Scottish universities via student associations. A 2023 report from the UK Parliament's intelligence and security committee said the institutes were run by Hanban, an arm of China's education ministry ultimately controlled by the CCP's propaganda department. Its institutes must obey CCP law, monitor students overseas and influence their behaviour, the report alleged. The last UK government U-turned on a bid to ban the institutes, while top Australian universities closed their institutes in April. Since 2020, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities have accepted more than £5m, including from Hanban, to fund their Confucius Institutes. Edinburgh's institute was partly funded by Fudan University, which reportedly omitted the phrase 'freedom of thought' from its charter in 2019. Aberdeen University accepted £5000 from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) in November 2023 to fund a visiting researcher. Some European universities have paused or ceased co-operation with the CSC, citing threats to academic freedom, research security and the risk of 'industrial espionage'. Universities 'ignoring evidence of risks' LUKE de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international alliance of cross-party politicians, said The Ferret's research was 'shocking, but not surprising'. 'The fact that money is still being allowed to flow without being flagged should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public,' he claimed. 'The rest of the UK has been slow to address dependencies which are curtailing academic freedoms and assisting the People's Liberation Army, but this evidence suggests that the problem is even more acute in Scotland and needs urgently to be tackled.' Laura Harth, China in the world director at human rights group Safeguard Defenders, said: 'It remains staggering to see evidence-based institutions consistently ignore the endless amount of evidence on the security, IP theft and foreign interference risks related to co-operation with (CCP) entities. READ MORE: Owen Jones: Opposing Israeli violence is 'extremist'? The world's upside down 'This is the exact opposite of the academic rigour we should expect and an outright denial of their commitment to independent thinking and discovery. 'Universities and other entities that continue to ignore such risks do so at the expense not only of their students and stakeholders, but of our democratic societies as a whole. Such free-riding has to stop.' The Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, Miles Briggs, said there was 'good reason' to be wary of university funding with alleged links to spying, human rights abuses, the military and other issues. 'For too long SNP ministers have been complacent about the overexposure of the university sector in Scotland without investigating where funding has come from,' he claimed. The Ferret contacted the Chinese Embassy which has previously been critical of what it has branded politicised anti-Chinese rhetoric, but we received no response. Universities ensure 'robust due diligence' ABERDEEN University said it has 'robust procedures in place to ensure due diligence around international collaboration', including 'mitigations' for 'higher risk partnerships' such as a team to review security issues, and the use of an official 'trusted research' checklist. A spokesperson added that the university complies with UK regulations including control requirements around the export or transfer in goods, software or technology, including data, information and technical assistance. Heriot-Watt University said global partnerships were 'vital' to advancing its research and teaching, while also benefitting its students, supporting cultural exchange and contributing to the university's financial sustainability. The university complies with UK Government international security guidelines and partnerships are 'rigorously assessed' to ensure 'academic freedom and institutional autonomy,' a spokesperson added. An Edinburgh University spokesperson said all partnerships, 'including donations and research funding, are subject to a rigorous due diligence process'. A Strathclyde University spokesperson said: 'All of our research is subject to risk assessments, ethical approvals and adherence to UK Government guidelines on national security, export control and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.' A spokesperson for RGU said: 'All of RGU's international collaborations are developed with robust due diligence and are aligned with the university's commitment to research excellence.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Universities are autonomous institutions and are expected to understand and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships. 'This includes conducting appropriate due diligence before entering into new partnerships, and monitoring existing partnerships to ensure they comply with relevant legal requirements'. National security is reserved to the UK Government's Home Office, which did not respond to a request to comment. Every organisation in this article was approached for comment, either directly or via the Chinese consulate in Edinburgh and the Chinese embassy in London.
The Hill
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Rising: June 5, 2025
Hopeless Dems spend $20 million to learn obvious reasons they lost young men! Robby Soave | RISING Robby Soave delivers radar on the Democratic Party's $20 million plan to court young male voters, particularly those who are Gen Z. Judge blocks deportation of Boulder terror suspect's family | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss a federal judge's decision to block the deportation of Boulder attack suspect Mohamed Soliman's family. Putin WARNS Trump In Phone Call Russia Will RETALIATE After UKRAINE Strike | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger weigh in on the latest call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kash Patel: CCP-linked researchers arrested for allegedly smuggling 'dangerous' pathogen | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to reports that a Chinese couple was arrested and charged for allegedly smuggling a pathogen into the U.S. Palantir surveillance powers growing under Trump admin?! | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to President Trump tapping Palantir to create a national citizen database. Pro Athlete challenging Joni Ernst after 'we all are going to die' Medicaid comment | RISING Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) joins Rising to discuss why he decided to challenge Sen. Joni Ernst in 2026. Biden blasts Trump for ordering investigation into 'autopen,' 'cognitive decline' coverup | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss former President Joe Biden hitting back at President Trump for ordering an investigation into Biden's use of autopen and alleged cognitive decline. Karine Jean-Pierre leaving Democrat Party, says Biden White House was 'broken' | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to former President Joe Biden's White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaving the Democratic Party.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Subnational Diplomacy in California: Economic Cooperation or Security Risk?
Since before Ronald Reagans time as governor, Californians have considered their rich and bountiful home something to be something of a "nation-state." Its a phrase Gov. Gavin Newsom has employed repeatedly - and a description he seems to have taken literally: California has fostered its own diplomatic relationship with China for years. The stated rationale is the need for energy and economic collaboration. But some critics believe that Chinas own motivations are not so high-minded. One such critic, Brigham McCown, a scholar from the Hudson Institute, fears that the relationship will lead to Californians becoming "unwitting instruments in Chinas propaganda efforts." The subnational diplomatic ties between California and China are well established. A 2014 report details Californias longstanding work with China in the energy sector. But they are not without controversy, particularly in recent years. In 2023, Newsom was criticized for "cozying up to" the CCP on his 2023 trip to China, during which he signed five memoranda of understanding (MOUs) regarding climate change. MOUs are nonbinding agreements between a state and a country, and California currently shares 17 with China, a much higher number than it shares with most other countries. For reference, the next comparable numbers are the 12 MOUs California shares with Mexico and the nine it shares with Japan. Besides those countries, Californias MOUs per country hover around the one-to-five range. While it is difficult to obtain the exact numbers, Ryan Scoville, a professor of law at Marquette University, compiled a list of U.S. state commitments with foreign governments, including MOUs, and found that California leads with at least 94 agreements, with Maryland coming in second place with 68. There is evidence for a subversive type of Chinese influence in California as well. The late Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in history and a key figure in Californian politics, made headlines after it was revealed that her driver was a Chinese spy. California Rep. Eric Swalwell was embarrassed by revelations that a Chinese operative had been targeting him and working on his campaign. Meanwhile, several California universities have received scrutiny for being the beneficiaries of large donations from CCP-linked organizations. Most recently, California and the federal government have been embroiled in a lawsuit over President Trumps tariffs. The lawsuit "argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada or create an across-the-board 10% tariff." The California governors official website notes that "Californias economy and workers rely heavily on this trade activity, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China - our top 3 trade partners. Over 40% of California imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California in 2024." Though state leaders are insistent that their diplomatic efforts are for the good of Californians, scholars remain divided over whether such diplomacy is necessary, or if it creates a national security threat. Does Subnational Diplomacy Undermine U.S. Policy? Yuichiro Kakutani, a policy advisor at the China and Indo-Pacific Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, told RCP, "Widespread malign Chinese influence in California presents a concrete national security risk to the United States." Kakutani explained that the CCP is more dangerous to engage with than other countries since it "has proven adept at manipulating state-level officials," and listed several examples, including Chinas efforts to influence California elections and UC Berkleys tech deal that gave the Chinese access to U.S. research. Brigham McCown, a senior fellow and director of the Initiative on American Energy Security at the Hudson Institute, another conservative think tank, offered a similar, though more nuanced, perspective to RCP. "While Californias activities may not directly undermine an administrations agenda in a legal sense, its actions can complicate Americas diplomatic posture, especially when unity is vital to facing strategic challenges," McCown said. McCown explained that not only has China learned how to manipulate politicians, but it also has a long history of discreetly "exploiting internal divisions" among Americans. "Californians should be cautious not to become unwitting instruments in Chinas propaganda efforts," he warned. McCown also touched on the tariff lawsuit, which has been ruled in favor of California, though an appeals court paused the decision, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect. He explained that the case is particularly relevant as it dictates the boundaries of state and federal authority. "These types of cases raise an important constitutional standing issue which is: 'Who has standing to challenge federal decisions in matters of foreign policy?" McCown said. McCown admitted that California may have ground to oppose the tariffs on an economic level, but that it does not have the authority to rise against the federal government on the matter. He explained, "While states may object to the economic consequences of federal action, under our federal system, states must defer to the national government in areas where the Constitution clearly delegates authority - particularly foreign commerce and international relations." The Benefits to California Not every scholar sees a problem. Kal Raustiala, the director of the UCLA Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations and a professor of comparative and international law at UCLA Law School, believes that subnational diplomacy is vital for Californias flourishing. "In our system the federal government takes the lead on foreign affairs. But that doesnt mean that states have no role," Raustiala said. As long as states are not actively contradicting or undermining federal foreign policy, Raustiala adds that the federal government has no real reason to intervene. "As a nation known for liberty and freedom, I think sometimes having multiple voices and opinions is good," he said. "I think other nations around the world understand that we are a big, varied nation with many views on key issues." In addressing the tariff lawsuit, Raustiala stated that California is both protecting its own people and its foreign interests. "California is the most economically dynamic state in the union," he told RCP. "We are big traders, big exporters, and have big, active ports. Trade is important, and California is seeking to ensure that trade continues to bring prosperity - prosperity that allows California to be a major net donor to the federal government year after year." Madelynn McLaughlin is an intern at RealClearPolitics. She graduated from Liberty University in 2025 with a degree in Government: Politics and Policy.
Business Mayor
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Chinese solar tech poses 'chilling' threat to US electric grid, lawmakers warn
The reported discovery of 'rogue communication devices' in Chinese-exported solar inverters spurred new scrutiny of Chinese imports and of the security of the domestic electric grid. In a blue state known for backing solar and other green energy alternatives, a top state Republican warned that 'the time to act is now' to stop incursions by a malign foreign actor. 'The recent discovery of rogue communication devices underscores a chilling reality: our critical infrastructure is vulnerable, and New Jersey's leadership is asleep at the wheel,' said state Sen. Doug Steinhardt, R-Belvidere. Steinhardt, a former chair of the state GOP, said allowing 'hostile foreign governments' to potentially penetrate U.S. energy networks is a national security writ large. TRUMP ENERGY CHIEF RECOUNTS EVOLUTION OF US ENVIRONS OVER 56 EARTH DAYS: A HANDILY-ENERGIZED SOCIETY WORKS In New Jersey's case, three bills – all sponsored by Steinhardt – seek to blunt this new threat, including one banning the state from companies owned by or based out of certain foreign countries. Another bill in the Garden State would somewhat mirror Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' policy against Chinese land ownership near protected facilities. Such policies also grew out of CCP-linked purchases of land in the Sunshine State and across the country, including another controversial 380,000-acre purchase in North Dakota near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. A Reuters report last week discovered solar power inverters were found to have 'rogue communication devices not listed in product documents' within the modules after being 'stripped-down' by technologists. Inverters, of which a majority are imported, connect solar panels and wind installations to electric grids by converting DC power to AC power. While solar tech does typically have firewalls against outside incursion, the findings raised concern, according to Reuters. ENERGY CHIEF ENVISIONS US NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE, RESTORING PIT PRODUCTION, LOCALIZING NUKE POWER 'We cannot afford to let our energy systems, our food supply, or any strategic assets fall into the hands of those who wish us harm – the time to act is now,' Steinhardt said in a statement. Citing national security concerns, a bipartisan pair of senators introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, which would prohibit the government from buying batteries from some foreign sources over similar concerns. 'Our national security should not require reliance on components made by adversaries like China,' Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said in drafting the bill with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. 'This bipartisan legislation will help safeguard both our supply chains and our national security by preventing the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing Chinese batteries for the devices and technology that keep Americans safe.' In comments to Fox News Digital on Monday, Scott called it 'terrifying' the CCP could have any control over the U.S. grid. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 'Communist China is an adversary, led by a ruthless, authoritarian regime that wants to undermine our national security, spy on our citizens, steal our technology, and destroy our economy,' Scott said. 'We cannot allow this regime to have access to the very systems and resources families and businesses depend on. That's why I've introduced legislation to cut off our dependence on Chinese-made batteries that serve as Trojan horses for their surveillance state, and I'm bringing back the Protect American Power Infrastructure Act to slam the door shut on any Chinese influence over our electric grid.' Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Phil Murphy as well as the Energy Department for comment.
