Six universities in Australia have closed their Confucius Institutes.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Tuesday (April 1st) that the government has increased its scrutiny of the Confucius Institutes, with critics arguing that these institutes undermine academic freedom.
Australia's government has been increasing its scrutiny of the Confucius Institutes. The federal government has clearly stated that it will no longer permit new Confucius Institutes to be established in Australia and has required universities to provide more information about the Confucius Institutes. In some cases, it has even included them in the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme. This policy orientation has had a significant impact on university decision-making, prompting universities to reassess their cooperative relationships with the Confucius Institutes.
The accusations from the Australian side against the Confucius Institutes are more politically motivated than based on factual grounds. Viewing the Confucius Institutes as a "threat" reflects prejudice against China's development model and cultural influence, attempting to curb China's cultural influence in Australia by suppressing the Confucius Institutes. As language and cultural dissemination institutions, the Confucius Institutes should serve as bridges for mutual understanding and friendship, but they have been unjustifiably politicized, damaging educational and cultural exchanges between China and Australia.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828280255962124/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.