Kentucky University Cuts Ties to its Confucius Institute

The Confucius Institute building at Western Ketucky University (WKU). A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Model Confucius Institute Building was held on May 5, 2017. Confucius Institute of WKU

BOWLING GREEN, KY—Western Kentucky University (WKU) is cutting ties to its Confucius Institute due to a new federal policy.

News outlets report University President Tim Caboni made the announcement on April 22 in an email to faculty and staff. Caboni says defense spending legislation passed last year doesn’t allow institutions to host Confucius Institutes if they receive U.S. Department of Defense funding for Chinese language programs.