Australia’s biggest state ends Chinese education programme over fears of foreign interference
- The programme, which is administered by Chinese government agency Hanban, teaches Mandarin in 13 public schools
- The move comes amid heightened concerns about Chinese activities in Australia and the Pacific region and a souring of relations in recent years
The Confucius Institute programme – administered by the Chinese government agency Hanban – teaches China’s official language in 13 public schools across New South Wales (NSW).
However, the NSW government said in a review issued late on Thursday that, while it found no specific evidence of interference, it was improper for the programme to continue.
“The review found, however, a number of specific factors that could give rise to the perception that the Confucius Institute is or could be facilitating inappropriate foreign influence in the department,” the review said.
The government report said NSW was the only state government worldwide to have such a programme and that the arrangement also placed Chinese government appointees inside the NSW education department.