Beijing vies for greater control of foreign universities in China

FT ^ | 2017/11/19 | Emily Feng

[TigerLikesRooster]

Beijing vies for greater control of foreign universities in China

Communist party wants more influence despite academic freedom guarantees

Emily Feng in Beijing

The Chinese Communist party has ordered foreign-funded universities to install party units and grant decision-making powers to a party official, reversing an earlier promise to guarantee academic freedom as President Xi Jinping strengthens political control over all levels of education.

More than two thousand education joint ventures between Chinese and overseas universities have been established since 2003, when they were first allowed. Some, such as New York University Shanghai or University of Nottingham Ningbo have their own campuses. Others, such as the University of Pittsburgh’s collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, operate institutes within a Chinese campus.

According to the directive from the education ministry, party secretaries at each education joint venture will be given vice-chancellor status and a seat on the board of trustees, two people briefed on the new regulations told the Financial Times. The directive was drafted by the party’s Organisation Department, which oversees appointments to top party and government posts.

“This changes the nature of the game and has ominous potential [consequences] for academic freedom,” one of the people said. “The first line of control is self censorship. The next line is [more] overt.”

[TigerLikesRooster]

“This changes the nature of the game and has ominous potential [consequences] for academic freedom,”

There is no academic freedom in China. They may have given the appearance of it, but not indefinitely. If they don't like it, they should just get out. In time, these universities will fill most academic positions with sycophants of China, because there are enough of them out there if paycheck is OK.

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[GoldenState_Rose]

Irritating. Chinese culture is beautiful too, but the narrative of its history has been hijacked by these neo Mao-ists, just like it is with neo-Stalinists in Russia. All the gory parts of recent history glossed over.

[sockmonkey]

Does this mean foreign universities cannot hold anal sex workshops?

Harvard hosts anal sex workshop
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3606129/posts

[TigerLikesRooster]

I am pretty sure any such attempt will be met with swift deportation if not prosecuted.

[dljordan]

“Chinese culture is beautiful too”

I just love the way they throw dogs alive into boiling water before they eat them. It’s so artistic.

[gaijin]

Is the University system in the United States a vehicle for promotion of Freedom..?

absolutely not.

I would submit to you that one of the longest-standing threats to Democracy in America is the University system.

Their solution for every single question is expansion of the power of the state.

if there is a Khmer Rouge anywhere in America it’s in the universities.

promotion of academic freedom in America is silly, it doesn’t exist.

In most cases in America going to college represents an additional barrier to success.

Learning is good, going to college is not.

[TigerLikesRooster]

In a way, this is about who controls the university, left-wing Western academics or Chinese communists? Do students live under PC or Chicom? I say both of them are repulsive. I was merely pointing out that those who believe that China would grow into “open liberal” state is clueless. I won't use the word “naive” because that would be too charitable.

[reed13k]

Been to China for work many times. Studied the language years ago in college.

I have heard of both eating dog and other things that we would not consider palatable, but have NEVER heard of anyone in China or Korea boiling dogs alive.

Source?

[dljordan]

“Source?”

YouTube had a video but they pulled it immediately.

Just Google it and you’ll see plenty. Disgusting wretches.

[GoldenState_Rose]

Dljordan I am as un-politically correct as they come, but just as the lamestream media favors rich white liberal elites, they also favor rich white liberal narratives of global cultures.

Do those primitive practices exist in China? Yes and far worse: like the one-child/two-child forced abortion policies — but there is far more to China and other civilizations than as simplified by those realities.

64,000 Americans died (was it last year) from drug/opiate overdoses!!! One of the reasons why is boredom and disconnection stemming from the cultural sterility characterizing much of modern American society...blocking oneself from meaningful encounters with other cultures, with other human beings only perpetuates the cycle. So I think, if you have the opportunity to travel, do so. You may be surprised by the priceless joy and enrichment to be had.

My favorite Chinese film is “Raise the Red Lantern” it was banned by the government due to its political overtones, but you can get a feel for all the beauty and epicness of Chinese civilization while aware of its corruptions. The music alone is stunning and the lead actress Gong Li is gorgeous. I recommend it.