Chinese university students told to spy on classmates, report says
www.bbc.com
Lecturers are also being harassed, the report finds, as ministers say threats will not be tolerated.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/39861120

Chinese students at UK universities are being pressured to spy on their classmates in an attempt to suppress the discussion of issues that are sensitive to the Chinese government, a new report suggests.

The UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank says its survey of academics in China studies also highlighted reports of Chinese government officials warning 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.

The Chinese embassy in London called the report “groundless and absurd”, adding that China respects freedom of speech in the UK and elsewhere.

The regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), says freedom of speech and academic freedom are “fundamental” to higher education.

The new legislation, which came into force last week, says universities should do more to actively promote academic freedom and freedom of speech, including in cases where institutions have agreements in place with other countries.

Universities could be fined millions if they fail to do so, the OfS has said.

However, the UKCT report says some universities are reluctant to address the issue of Chinese interference because of their financial reliance on Chinese student fees.

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  • Javi@feddit.ukEnglish
    2·
    8 days ago

    That’s fair, it came across as though you were denying the existence of external forces altogether despite the fact that misinformation campaigns and large amounts of funding to right wing parties are what have fueled the likes of AfD, Reform UK, PVV etc across Europe, as well as the current situation in America.

    Yes, every country has its fascists, rapists, murderers etc… but that doesn’t make the possibility of external influence riling these groups to action any less plausible.

    Also, I think like i’ve misunderstood your meaning, you’ve misunderstood the comment you were responding too; I don’t think the person you replied too meant external forces are the sole reason, but rather the driving force.