WASHINGTON—Several academic institutions of higher learning are opening satellite or branch campuses in China, and the number is growing fast. Many China observers, particularly college professors, wonder whether the openness and freedom of inquiry that we have become accustomed to in the states can thrive in an authoritarian country, in which the communist rulers officially condemn Western values.
Recent Chinese communist regime decrees prohibit teaching and research in “taboo” areas, such as universal values, press freedom, civil society, neoliberal economics, and independence of the judiciary.
In view of these developments, Chris Smith (R-N.J.), on June 25, convened a hearing, Is Academic Freedom Threatened by China’s Influence on U.S. Universities? This is the second hearing on the topic with more hearings to come.
Smith is chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Right and International Organizations.
A skeptical Smith asked in his opening statement, “Is it possible to accept lucrative subsidies from the Chinese government … operate campuses on their territory, and still preserve academic freedom and other [American] values …?”
China’s Ministry of Education states on its website that it has approved 11 U.S. universities and one U.S. individual to partner with Chinese to run 14 university campuses, according to the Congressional Research Service. Nine U.S. educational partnerships in China are operational now.
Smith noted the appeal of these cooperative ventures, including funding from the Chinese regime that typically covers all campus construction costs and some or all operating costs, as well as revenue from fee-paying Chinese students on China-based campuses, who later may become alumni donors.
