In a recent development, six Australian universities have discreetly shut down their Confucius Institutes (CIs), which have been associated with the Chinese government. These institutions, established to promote Chinese language and culture, have been subjected to increasing scrutiny by the Australian government amid concerns regarding potential propaganda dissemination and surveillance activities targeting Chinese international students.
While China maintains that Confucius Institutes serve as a “bridge reinforcing friendship” through cultural and linguistic education, apprehensions about their influence have been growing globally. Several universities across the United States and Europe have also opted to terminate their agreements with these centres, citing concerns about China’s overseas influence. The recent closures in Australia mean that nearly half of the Confucius Institutes previously operating within the country’s universities have now been discontinued, with seven still in operation, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Institutions that have removed Confucius Institutes from their campuses include the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland (UQ), the University of Western Australia (UWA), the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). While some universities have attributed their decisions to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, others have cited strategic academic shifts as the primary reason for not renewing their CI contracts.
A spokesperson for UNSW stated that the university is in the process of developing its own Chinese studies programme, reaffirming its commitment to fostering open academic dialogue within the framework of the China-Australia bilateral relationship. Similarly, a UQ representative clarified that its Confucius Institute ceased operations upon the expiration of its contract in December 2024, without any direct intervention from the Australian government.
Initially established in partnership with Nanjing University in 2007, the Confucius Institute at the University of Melbourne officially closed in August 2024. A spokesperson for the institution highlighted that a diverse range of Chinese language and Asian studies programmes were already being offered, eliminating the necessity to extend the agreement further. Meanwhile, the University of Adelaide has not confirmed the closure of its Confucius Institute but has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international connections, including partnerships with China.
The Australian federal government has taken an increasingly cautious stance regarding Confucius Institutes in recent years, indicating that no further centres of this kind would be permitted in the country. Universities have also been mandated to enhance transparency concerning the teachings and operational aspects of these institutes, with some being required to register under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme.
Concerns regarding the role of Confucius Institutes are not new. Human Rights Watch, in a 2019 report, described these centres as “extensions of the Chinese government,” raising concerns that they actively restrict discussions on politically sensitive topics deemed controversial by Beijing. Additionally, an ABC investigation from the same year revealed that applicants for volunteer teaching positions at Confucius Institutes were expected to demonstrate political allegiance to the Chinese government.
Dr Jeffrey Gill, a researcher from Flinders University who specializes in the study of Confucius Institutes, expressed little surprise at the recent closures. He acknowledged that concerns regarding foreign interference were likely a contributing factor but remained skeptical about allegations that these institutes actively promote Chinese government propaganda. According to Dr. Gill, Confucius Institutes have had a “minimal impact” on shaping public perceptions of China within Australia and the broader Western world.
As scrutiny of Confucius Institutes intensifies globally, universities and governments continue to reassess the role of such educational centres. While proponents argue that these institutes facilitate cultural exchange, critics warn of their potential to serve as tools of foreign influence. The recent closures in Australia reflect a broader trend of increased vigilance regarding foreign-linked academic initiatives and their implications for national security and academic freedom.
