U.S. Defense Secretary Claims Shutdown of China-Linked Organizations in American Universities

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Heggest has declared that the Department of Defense views Confucius Institutes and their associated organizations as a threat to national security. This move comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Chinese influence within American academic institutions.

In a video message shared on social media, Heggest claimed that following restrictions imposed by the U.S. Congress on Confucius Institutes, approximately 80 new organizations emerged in 30 American universities. He alleged that these groups, operating under varied names and charters, were pursuing the same underlying objectives.

The Secretary of Defense asserted that these organizations were engaged in activities aimed at intellectual property theft and influencing the thoughts of American students. He stated that the Department of Defense has dismantled all such entities over the past two months.

Confucius Institutes are known centers for teaching the Chinese language and hosting cultural programs, operating in universities and educational centers globally with financial support from China. The U.S. government and some lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the potential use of these institutes to expand China’s political influence. In 2018, the U.S. Congress implemented restrictions on the funding of universities hosting these institutes, leading to the closure of many of them.