The U.S. Military Views Confucius Institutes as a "National Security Threat," Defense Department Spokesperson Responds
[Global Times - Global Network Report by reporter Guo Yuandan] On October 29, at a routine press conference held by the Ministry of Defense, a reporter asked, "U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on the 23rd that the Pentagon has classified Confucius Institutes funded by China on American university campuses as a national security threat. Over the past two months, 80 newly discovered propaganda organizations in 30 universities have been systematically dismantled. What is the spokesperson's response?"
In response, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that we oppose the smear and stigmatization of Confucius Institutes. Educational exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States are beneficial for enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries and should not be interfered with or undermined.
On October 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense classified Confucius Institutes on U.S. college campuses as national security threats. The Pentagon has dismantled 80 propaganda organizations associated with these institutes across 30 universities. The Defense spokesperson criticized the negative portrayal of Confucius Institutes, emphasizing the importance of educational exchanges between the U.S. and China.
- The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced the classification of Confucius Institutes as national security threats.
- The Pentagon has dismantled 80 propaganda organizations linked to these institutes in 30 universities over the past two months.
- The spokesperson for the Department of Defense opposed the stigmatization of Confucius Institutes.