British universities are warned not to censor themselves or water down ideas to appease China amid fears Beijing could punish institutions that speak out on issues like Hong Kong
- China expert Kerry Brown said that offending Beijing was ‘never difficult’
- He added that it has become even easier under the rule of President Xi Jinping
- He urged academic staff to continue to discuss the country’s human rights record, and their involvement in Hong Kong and Taiwan
A leading expert has warned that British academics should not avoid sensitive issues about China like Hong Kong and Taiwan for fears that they will offend the country.
Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese studies at King’s College London, has said that offending the Chinese establishment was ‘never difficult’ but that it has become even easier under the rule of President Xi Jinping.
In a series of essays published on the University system’s relationship with China, Brown said the delicacy of international relations between the West and Beijing has ‘strengthened’ the view that sensitivity is needed.
He urged academic staff to continue to discuss the country’s human rights record, and their involvement in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan at the Great Hall of the People January 2, 2019 in Beijing, China
He called on universities to be a ‘neutral space’ for debate.
Brown said that young researchers from China, may tread more carefully, fearing for their families and networks at home.
‘Others are involved in field research in sensitive ethnic minority areas, or around potentially contentious social policy issues like land ownership reform or migrant labourer rights,’ Brown said.
‘For these, the worst that can happen is that they are detained.’
‘These are serious consequences, which universities outside China need to be aware of, and demonstrate an understanding of,’ he added.
Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese studies at King’s College London, has said that offending the Chinese establishment was ‘never difficult’ but that it has become even easier under the rule of President Xi Xinping. He urged academic staff to continue to discuss the country’s human rights record, and their involvement in Hong Kong (protests in July, pictured) and Taiwan
British universities rely heavily on international students, many of whom are from China, but some believe Beijing will use the coronavirus crisis to delay students leaving the country this year.
Salvatore Babones, of the University of Sydney, told the Times Sooner: ‘There are three strong reasons to suspect the Chinese government will use the Covid-19 crisis to reduce permanently the number of Chinese students going abroad for degrees.
‘First, due to the demographic decline, China’s universities need the students.
‘Second, since 2016, China has increasingly limited its citizens’ access to foreign exchange and, third, China is actively using its purported success in fighting Covid-19 for propaganda purposes.’