Report: Chinese Students Pressured to Spy in UK Universities

A report by the UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank reveals that Chinese students at UK universities are being pressured to spy on their classmates to suppress discussions on topics sensitive to the Chinese government, such as human rights issues in Xinjiang, the origins of COVID-19, and Chinese tech companies. Academics studying China have also faced harassment, intimidation, and pressure to avoid certain subjects, with some researchers stepping down or being denied visas, and reports of family members being threatened in China. The UKCT survey found that financial dependencies on Chinese student fees influence university administrators' decisions, potentially causing reluctance to address Chinese interference. The report additionally highlights the role of Confucius Institutes and visiting scholars, who have been accused of intimidation and promoting self-censorship. In response, new UK legislation mandates universities to protect academic freedom and freedom of expression, under threat of heavy fines, but the Chinese embassy in London dismissed the report as "groundless and absurd." The UK Office for Students emphasizes that freedom of speech and academic freedom are fundamental to higher education and must be actively promoted.