China: Confucius Institutes under pressure from US

China said political attacks from Trump administration of its Confucius Institutes are a new form of "McCarthyism."

"What U.S. has done has evolved into outright political persecution, which t only violates morality and justice, but also tarnishes im of US itself. This is New McCarthyism," said Zhao Lijian, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

administration last week urged US schools and colleges to rethink ir ties to institutes that bring Chinese langu classes to US but, according to federal officials, also invite a "malign influence" from China.

Patterned after British Council and Alliance Francaise, Confucius Institutes are unique in that y set up operations directly on US campuses and schools, drawing mounting scrutiny from US officials amid increased tensions with China.

In letters to universities and state education officials, State Department and Education Department said program gives China's ruling Communist Party a foothold on US soil and threatens free speech.

Schools are being advised to examine program's activities and "take action to safeguard your educational environments."

More than 60 US universities host Confucius Institutes through partnerships with an affiliate of China's Ministry of Education, though number has lately been dropping.

China provides teachers and textbooks and typically splits cost with university. program also brings Chinese langu classes to about 500 elementary and secondary classrooms.

At least 39 universities have anunced plans to shutter Confucius Institute programs since start of 2019, according to a log published by National Association of Scholars, a conservative nprofit group.

Or nations have also sought to curb China's influence in ir schools, with regional educational departments in Canada and Australia cutting ties with institutes.