The tightening of censorship in China continues to raise concerns. Recently, it was reported that foreign assistant professor Björn Alexander Düben from Jilin University was expelled from the country for discussing the visit of the Chinese Communist Party leader to Europe during an interview. Düben revealed that many scholars and students are feeling uneasy about the political developments in China, with a growing sense of oppression prevailing.
Dr. Björn Alexander Düben, a German citizen, had worked as a foreign assistant professor at the International Relations Institute of Jilin University’s School of Public Diplomacy for nine years, before returning to Germany.
According to a report by Voice of America on June 29th, Düben held a Chinese R-Visa for high-level foreign talents valid until 2033.
Prior to his work in China, he had taught security, diplomacy, and intelligence studies at King’s College London (Department of War Studies) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (Department of International Relations).
Düben holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Oxford.
During Xi Jinping’s visit to France, Serbia, and Hungary in early May, Düben commented on the outcomes of Xi’s European tour during an interview with Voice of America. Following the publication of the article on the 11th of May, he received inquiries from the international secretary of his institute about the media coverage related to the interview.
On the morning of May 15th, while preparing for two lectures, Düben was informed that his lectures had been suspended. Thirty minutes later, a colleague notified him that all his lectures and teaching assignments were indefinitely canceled, effective immediately, and his employment at Jilin University was terminated, citing a decision made by unspecified higher authorities.
The colleague mentioned that his visa would be converted to a “humane” visa, allowing him a two-week stay in China. Düben was given two options: to submit a resignation letter to Jilin University personally or to undergo some form of disciplinary investigation or court trial.
Subsequently, the Party Secretary of the institute and an administrative staff member appeared, urging Düben to submit a formal resignation letter.
Although he had no intention of resigning voluntarily, Düben feared that objecting to his dismissal could be seen as provoking the Chinese authorities, posing too much risk. Thus, he chose to resign.
After submitting his resignation letter, he was notified by the university that he must leave China by May 30th and was prohibited from re-entering the country.
Düben, as an international relations researcher, has frequently published his research findings on media platforms such as Reuters, The National Interest, The Diplomat, and the Royal United Services Institute in the UK.
Düben believes that the Voice of America article may have triggered his dismissal. Upon receiving the notification of his article, the Chinese authorities might have initiated a deeper investigation that could also involve his previously published academic papers.
He mentioned that in recent years, some foreign scholars working in China have been summoned by the Chinese domestic security department for informal discussions regarding their work and publications.
Many scholars and students seemingly feel uneasy about certain political developments in China, but they are cautious in public. People in general feel an increasing sense of oppression and stricter censorship.
In his previous comments, Düben stated that Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe aimed to drive a wedge between the United States and the European Union, which Beijing considers a long-term strategic goal and possibly a reason for Xi’s personal visit.
Over the years, China has attempted to weaken the alliance between European countries and the US, but with little success so far.
Düben also mentioned the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that Russia had previously faced shortages of basic ammunition, which could now be supplied by China with certain hard-to-track dual-use military and civilian components.
Former Chinese Communist Party intelligence operative Eric, who defected to Australia, analyzed to Voice of America that any situation involving Xi carries political sensitivity. Different sources concurrently informing higher authorities would escalate the political sensitivity. “The senior leadership of the upper-level department would consider the situation severe and take retaliatory measures, such as the decision to expel the individual mentioned in the article.”
The report reveals the strict speech control, arbitrary nature of legal contracts, and increasingly closed-off speech environment in China, causing concerns among many individuals.