MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities

"The foreign affairs select committee is drawing up plans to examine Chinese government interference in academia as part of its inquiry into the UK's strategy towards Beijing. MPs are broadening the scope of their investigation into the China audit, an internal government review of UK-China relations that concluded in June, to look into Chinese state influence at British universities. Ministers are under pressure to take a more robust approach after the Guardian disclosed"

"Sheffield Hallam banned one of its most prominent professors, Laura Murphy, from continuing with her work on China-linked supply chains, after years of pressure from the Chinese government. Murphy's work focuses on Uyghurs, a persecuted Muslim minority in China, being co-opted into forced labour programmes. The Chinese government rejects accusations of forced labour, claiming Uyghur work programmes are for poverty alleviation."

The foreign affairs select committee will examine Chinese government interference in academia as part of the UK strategy review toward Beijing. MPs are expanding the China audit to probe Chinese state influence at British universities. Sheffield Hallam suspended a prominent professor, Laura Murphy, from research on China-linked supply chains after reported pressure from the Chinese government; her work focuses on alleged Uyghur forced labour. The university lifted the ban in October and apologised. The Chinese government denies forced labour claims, calling work programmes poverty alleviation. The case has prompted calls for a public inquiry and a government review of commercial impacts on academic free speech.

Read at www.theguardian.com