Most US universities continue partnerships with Confucius Institute

World Today

In the last few weeks two universities in the United States have decided not to renew their contracts with the non-profit Confucius Institutes. Despite this, the majority of U.S. universities are continuing their partnerships with the institute, and some are pursuing new areas of cooperation. CCTV America’s Zou Yun reports.

The Confucius Institute is a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education that provides Chinese language and cultural teaching resources for foreign Chinese learners through partnerships with international universities. 

Two U.S. educational institutions, the University of Chicago and Penn State University recently ended their partnerships with the Confucius Institute program. The decision to cut ties comes after the American Association of University Professors said in June that universities “have sacrificed the integrity of the university and its academic staff” by allowing the Chinese government to supervise curriculum and staff at the Institutes it has established on more than 100 North American campuses to promote Chinese culture and language.

Gao Qing, the director of the Confucius Institute at George Mason University, said their university continues to welcome the institute and sees it as an important part of the school’s international educational program.

Established in 2009, the Confucius Institute at George Mason provides Chinese language training and cultural activities. Tens of thousands of people from the campus and community have used the Institute to explore the Chinese language and culture.

The Institutes sometimes face criticism and misunderstanding, but Gao Qing said that something new takes time, collaboration, and efficient communication to avoid misunderstandings.

Story compiled with information from CCTV America and the Associated Press.