Designation of the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a Foreign Mission of the PRC

U.S Department of State 08.13.2020 1 min read
Designation of the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a Foreign Mission of the PRC
Designation of the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a Foreign Mission of the PRC
THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2004. THERE ARE NOW OVER 500 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES ACROSS SIX CONTINENTS; THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF INSTITUTES IS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. CHINA’S MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ESTIMATED IN 2010 THAT 100 MILLION PEOPLE OVERSEAS WERE TAKING PART IN CI LEARNING. AT LEAST 24 CIS IN THE US HAVE BEEN CLOSED DUE TO CONCERN FOR ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND CENSORSHIP.

The Trump Administration has made it a priority to seek fair and reciprocal treatment from the People’s Republic of China. For more than four decades, Beijing has enjoyed free and open access to U.S. society, while denying that same access to Americans and other foreigners in China. Furthermore, the PRC has taken advantage of America’s openness to undertake large scale and well-funded propaganda efforts and influence operations in this country.

Today, the Department of State designated the Confucius Institute U.S. Center as a foreign mission of the PRC, recognizing CIUS for what it is: an entity advancing Beijing’s global propaganda and malign influence campaign on U.S. campuses and K-12 classrooms. Confucius Institutes are funded by the PRC and part of the Chinese Communist Party’s global influence and propaganda apparatus.

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