Chinese Students in UK Pressured to Spy on Classmates, Report Finds

New Law Puts Universities on Alert Over Academic Freedom

Tone & Political Bias: Center-Leaning

Why: The article highlights concerns over foreign interference but includes responses from all sides, including the Chinese embassy and UK officials, without partisan framing.

What’s Happening

A new report by the UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank says Chinese students in UK universities are being asked to spy on classmates and report discussions involving topics sensitive to the Chinese government. The report also claims Chinese officials are influencing academic environments by pressuring both students and lecturers to avoid controversial subjects.

Why It Matters

The findings come just days after new UK legislation was enacted requiring universities to protect academic freedom and free speech. Institutions failing to comply could face multimillion-pound fines.

Key Findings From The Report

UKCT surveyed China studies academics, revealing fears of surveillance and intimidation.
Some Chinese students allegedly admitted they had been asked by Chinese officials to report on peers.
Students from other nationalities felt uncomfortable discussing topics seen as sensitive to Beijing.
Certain lecturers were warned by Chinese officials not to address controversial topics in class.
Academics conducting research on China faced visa denials and threats to their families in China.
Visiting scholars and Confucius Institute staff were cited as possible sources of intimidation.

Topics Considered “Sensitive”

According to the report, the subjects targeted include:

Human rights issues in Xinjiang.
The origins of COVID-19.
Political criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.
China’s expanding tech influence.
Broader humanities and social science topics involving Chinese policy.

Confucius Institutes Under Scrutiny

Confucius Institutes, which promote Chinese language and culture, operate in partnership with several UK universities and receive support from a Chinese government agency. They have faced repeated criticism over alleged links to the Chinese Communist Party.

The Office for Students (OfS) has previously said it expects these institutes to be reviewed under the new free speech law.
OfS head Susan Lapworth raised concerns about foreign influence and its potential to restrict academic debate.

UK Response

The UK government and universities have responded to the report with concern:

Office for Students said it will use new powers to investigate threats to free speech on campuses and can impose fines.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith emphasized that any intimidation by foreign governments “will not be tolerated.”
Universities UK, representing 141 institutions, said it is working with the government to protect staff and students’ freedoms.
A new complaint system will allow university staff and visiting speakers to report free speech concerns directly to the OfS.

Financial Pressure On Universities

The report notes that some universities have avoided addressing interference from Chinese entities due to heavy financial reliance on Chinese student tuition fees. The OfS has warned institutions that agreements funded by foreign states—like scholarships—must not compromise academic freedoms. Universities are expected to be “appropriately curious” about foreign partnerships.

China’s Response

The Chinese embassy in London rejected the claims, calling the UKCT report “groundless and absurd.”A spokesperson said China respects free speech both in the UK and internationally and reiterated its position of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.