Communist China's Influence in US Schools Raises National Security Concerns

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has raised concerns about the influence of Communist China in US schools, particularly through the Chinese government-backed Confucius Institutes. Walters claims that these institutes are exerting undue influence on some schools, including within his home state. He has called for congressional action to blunt the influence of such programs, which he warned amount to a national security risk1.

Confucius Institutes are currently in 519 elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. Continued expansion of the program is a priority for China4.

Views on Confucius Institutes are mixed. Some see them as helpful tools for learning Chinese language and culture, while others argue that they expand Chinese power and influence around the world, push pro-Party views, influence American students, and stifle academic freedom. These hawkish concerns, though, have often been met with eyerolls. In academia, some have argued that Confucius Institutes don’t sway students toward pro-Chinese government points of view. Others have pointed out that liberal democracies, including the US, have similar initiatives abroad, and argue Confucius Institutes do little more than teach beginners Chinese at schools without the resources to teach the language otherwise2.

Chinese government-backed programs are active in several US public school districts, according to a report. The report found that the programs, including Confucius Classroom, are a propaganda campaign of a soft power attempt to undermine the American Constitution and American values. Parents Defending Education, a national grassroots organization, has called for transparency and accountability in the programs5.

Here are five key takeaways from the story:

• Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has raised concerns about the influence of Communist China in US schools, particularly through the Chinese government-backed Confucius Institutes.
• Confucius Institutes are currently in 519 elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States. Continued expansion of the program is a priority for China.
• Views on Confucius Institutes are mixed. Some see them as helpful tools for learning Chinese language and culture, while others argue that they expand Chinese power and influence around the world, push pro-Party views, influence American students, and stifle academic freedom.
• Chinese government-backed programs are active in several US public school districts, including Confucius Classroom, which is a propaganda campaign of a soft power attempt to undermine the American Constitution and American values.
• Parents Defending Education, a national grassroots organization, has called for transparency and accountability in the programs.