The Chinese government has formally denounced recent actions taken by the United States regarding Beijing-sponsored Confucius Institutes. Washington has labeled these educational and cultural centers as national security threats, characterizing them as instruments for Chinese Communist Party propaganda. Consequently, the U.S. has implemented strict funding limitations and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported the closure of numerous entities that allegedly rebranded to circumvent previous restrictions. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the American policy as a deliberate effort to smear and stigmatize these organizations. Beijing maintains that these centers serve legitimate educational purposes, while U.S. officials remain concerned about their influence on university campuses. This diplomatic friction highlights ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding academic and cultural exchange programs.
Source : Hong Kong Free Press
Photo : Hong Kong Free Press
