On Tuesday, September 10th, the White House released a statement expressing support for the latest proposed legislation targeting Confucius Institutes and related entities in China.
The White House, in an administrative policy statement, conveyed its gratitude to Congress for its latest measures, stating, “Thank you to Congress for working to ensure that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds are only used for those cooperative partners that promote American interests, homeland security, and democratic norms.”
The statement added that the administration believes there may be better ways to prevent DHS funds from flowing to academic institutions susceptible to increasing influence from the Chinese Communist Party. Therefore, the government is willing to collaborate with Congress during the legislative process to further enhance and refine the content of the legislation to ensure a more precise and effective impact on the targets.
After the resumption of Congress in September, lawmakers from both parties have been vigorously promoting a series of legislation aimed at China (CCP), including the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act” proposed by Republican Congressman August Pfluger from Texas and 18 co-sponsors.
This bill will prohibit U.S. higher education institutions connected to specific institutions funded by the Chinese government (such as Confucius Institutes) or institutions in China from receiving funds from the Department of Homeland Security.
On Monday, September 9th, the House Committee on Rules held a hearing to discuss the content of the bill.
During the hearing, Pfluger expressed his appreciation and pointed out that over the years, the Chinese Communist Party has engaged in complex propaganda and espionage activities globally, particularly using the openness and collaborative nature of the American academic community to conduct industrial and military espionage activities within the United States.
Confucius Institutes were first established in the United States in 2004. These initiatives were promoted by the Chinese Communist Party as mechanisms to promote the Chinese language and culture, support local international Chinese teaching, and facilitate cultural exchanges. However, it was soon discovered that Confucius Institutes were an extension of the CCP’s global influence machinery, enabling them to influence decisions at academic institutions, monitor domestic activities in the United States, and promote CCP’s military-civil fusion projects.
In recent years, the U.S. government has taken successful actions to combat the malign behavior of the Chinese Communist Party. For example, according to the provisions of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense is prohibited from providing funding to higher education institutions hosting Confucius Institutes.
Pfluger stated, “Now is the time for the Department of Homeland Security to take similar actions.”
The latest legislation will restrict the flow of Department of Homeland Security funds to universities maintaining relationships with entities related to the CCP or supporting CCP’s military-civil fusion projects. This bill will ensure that taxpayers’ money is being used appropriately and encourage universities to end relationships with partners that do not prioritize American interests.
Pfluger emphasized that this legislation will “ensure that American institutions are not influenced by foreign malign actors, protect educators and students who publicly oppose CCP’s wrongdoing, and safeguard American research results from being stolen by the CCP.” He hopes that everyone can “unite and collectively address the greatest national security threats facing the United States.”