China exploits American universities, students to improve military dominance: Report

More often than not, China has been in news for a number of negative reasons apart from stories that talk of country's progress. Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-led government has faced severe criticism for several issues, two of most talked about ones being  dely Coronavirus pandemic that caused enormous losses to economies world over, and violation of human rights which has resulted in massive boycott of Beijing Olympics 2022 by international community.

China is widely known for influencing mediascape in country, and as reports claim, country has almost me censoring  reports of its media houses a priority, and hence, trust issues have undoubtedly become a major problem for country. As per a survey report by Associated Press, which includes responses of citizens from 14 countries, it is known that majority of people h a rar pessimistic view about Presient Xi Jinping-led nation. Now, in most recent development, it has been reported that China has been exploiting universities of United States to bolster its nuclear and cyber-espionage programs, and it continues to do so, as per a report.

China is using existing relationships with US universities to boost military power

A report released by Foundation for Defence of Democracies think tank has discovered that China is using its existing relationships with American universities to collect information and technological know-how to 'achieve Chinese military dominance', as per Fox News.

report states that China's civilian university system plays a major role in country's military-industrial complex including nuclear and cyber-espionage programs. 

CCP has allegedly 'ordered' civilian universities and all students to comply with its military-civil fusion strategy and integrate military, civilian and commercial investments to 'vance China's interest', as reported by Fox News.

Going by report, re are 34 American universities that continue to work with Confucius Institutes, which are reportedly CCP-sponsored programmes, and have been designed to boost educational and cultural ties worldwide. Furr, as per Fox News, report states that re are four US varsities namely Stanford University, University of California in Santa Barbara, University of Utah, and Washington's Pacific Luran University, which have open partnerships with universities in China, and have allegedly been flagged as reinforcing China's nuclear program. 

Interim Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and spokesperson for University of Utah, Chris Nelson stated that it would be ending its partnership with Confucius Institutes in June 2023 when contract is supposed to end. ''We haven't h any concerns about US institute being a hub for espionage or propaganda,'' he said. 

'' Institute has played an important role in increasing linguistic and cultural literacy about China among Utahns,'' Nelson ded.  

Several countries boycott Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Alrey, several countries, led by United States, have declared a diplomatic boycott of Winter Games. It is worth noting that Joe Biden ministration announced a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics, however, US athletes will be competing at Olympics. Moreover, Cana has become latest country to join diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics. Australia and United Kingdom are  two or countries that have joined US in diplomatic boycott of Olympics.

China asserts that during Winter Games, Beijing will be isolated from rest of country to ensure that virus does not penetrate capital city. China has me zero local transmissions an official policy, at expense of people's freedom and liberties. Hong Kong Post reported, citing CNN report, "cases have been detected over past week in country's largest cities, from Beijing and Shanghai to Guangzhou."

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: AP