US designates Confucius Institute as Chinese 'foreign mission' for its 'opacity'

Amid worsening Si-US relations, United States designated Confucius Institute, a China-affiliated global education programme, as a 'foreign propaganda mission'. US State Secretary Mike Pompeo said that government has recognised institute as an entity advancing Beijing’s “global propaganda and malign influence campaign” on US campuses.

State Department released a “fact sheet‘ on Confucius Institutes, alleging that organisation delivers “skewed” Chinese langu and cultural training to US students as part of China’s “multifaceted propaganda efforts”. It added that “opacity” of organisation and its “state-directed nature” were driving reasons behind decision.

designation doesn’t close Washington-based Confucius Institute US Center (CIUS), de facto headquarters of CI network, r US colleges and universities will have to close individual CIs. CIUS will have to regularly provide information to State Department about ir personnel, recruitment, funding, and operations in United States, similar to restrictions placed on diplomatic embassies.

“ United States wants to ensure that students on U.S. campuses have access to Chinese langu and cultural offerings free from manipulation of Chinese Communist Party and its proxies,” said Pompeo in a statement.

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US seeks 'fair treatment'

State Secretary said that Beijing has enjoyed free and open access to US society for more than four decades while denying to same to US citizens and or foreigners in China. He added that Beijing has taken advant of America’s openness but Trump administration has w made it a priority to seek fair and reciprocal treatment from China.

Recently, State Department designated US operations of China Central Television, China News Service, People’s Daily, and Global Times as foreign missions. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that China’s Communist Party has reorganised state propaganda outlets, disguised as news ncies, and asserted even more direct control over m. 

“While Western media are beholden to truth, PRC media are beholden to Chinese Communist Party,” statement read.

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