Beijing slams UK report alleging Chinese interference in British universities
- The report, released by British MPs, cited examples where China-linked groups appeared to suppress freedom of speech at institutions of higher education
- It comes as pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong have sparked tensions across universities in countries such as Australia and New Zealand
Beijing on Thursday criticised as “fictitious” a report by British politicians claiming there was “alarming evidence” of Chinese interference on university campuses.
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Christopher Hughes, a professor at the London School of Economics, said he had seen Chinese students in the British capital engaged in activities to “undermine Hong Kong protesters”.
“China has always adhered to a principle of non-interference in internal affairs,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a press briefing.
The British lawmakers should “do more to … advance China-UK relations, instead of making fictitious remarks and sowing discord”, Geng added.
China hits back after Australian foreign minister attacks human rights record
Hong Kong has been convulsed by five months of huge and increasingly violent protests calling for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability – representing the biggest challenge to Beijing’s rule since the city was handed back to China in 1997.
It came after Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald published 11 of the 13 contracts between the Confucius Institute and Australian universities.
Four contracts featured clauses giving the organisation final say on “teaching quality” and stated activities must respect “cultural custom”.
In return, the universities received minimum funding of A$100,000 to A$150,000 and 3,000 Chinese books and other materials.