China accused of ‘cross-border oppression’ of students

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Chinese students studying in Europe and the United States face harassment and intimidation from authorities in Beijing, leading to self-censorship and anxiety, an Amnesty International report has found.

Human rights groups say the findings, based on student testimony, raise serious questions for university leaders and governments about how to protect Chinese students from what they call “transnational oppression.” Stated.

Students, including those interviewed separately by the Financial Times, have taken photos of students participating in protests, tracked their activities on social media, and contacted their families back in China. He said that he had harassed them by applying pressure and trying to get them to conform.

The report adds to calls from Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups, including Freedom House, for more action to protect international students from pressure from authoritarian home governments. ing.

Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China director, said many students from China and Hong Kong were “living in fear” while studying in Europe and the United States due to interference from the Chinese government.

“The effects of China’s cross-border repression pose a serious threat to the free exchange of ideas that is at the heart of academic freedom, and governments and universities must do more to counter this.” she added.

The Chinese government “firmly disagrees” with the report’s findings, calling it “full of subjective assumptions and misinformation.”

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in London said: “The government requires Chinese students to comply with local laws and regulations, encourages them to play an active role as bridge builders, and provides them with a conducive environment for studying and living abroad. We are working hard to maintain it.”

An estimated 900,000 Chinese students are studying abroad. Between October and December, Amnesty International interviewed 32 students from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

A Chinese student who took part in protests against coronavirus measures while in China told the FT that after arriving to study in the United States, he was contacted by police in his hometown and warned to be careful.

He added that he now avoids other Chinese students for fear of being reported.

“I don’t talk to Chinese students. I like talking about Chinese politics, but you never know if you’ll get reported if you say something that crosses a line that shouldn’t be crossed. . I am very critical of China in front of non-Chinese students because there is little risk in doing so,” he said.

A student from Hong Kong studying in Amsterdam said the national security law imposed on the Chinese territory in 2020 had a chilling effect overseas as well.

The student told the FT that after helping organize a demonstration in the Netherlands in support of LGBT+ rights in China, his mobile phone was flooded with messages and calls from unknown numbers.

“The Chinese took pictures of us with professional cameras during the demonstration. I tried to stop them,” she said.

Amnesty’s report questioned the effectiveness of measures taken by Western universities to protect Chinese students, including not recording lectures to encourage free speech.

“[While] “While some institutions have recognized and taken steps that may address the concerns of these students, many of these measures do not appear to have achieved their intended effects.” .

The President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a group of U.S. university leaders, said it is seeking new guidance on cross-border repression. “This is a new phenomenon that universities have not yet fully recognized and addressed,” said Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the alliance.

In Britain, hawkish members of the ruling Conservative Party are calling for tougher government measures to protect Chinese dissidents on campus.

The Russell Group, which represents 24 of Britain’s leading universities, says it takes defending free speech and academic freedom “incredibly seriously” and has policies in place to ensure students can study without fear. Stated.

The UK government said it would work with universities to protect students, including by giving police the necessary powers.

“We will not tolerate any attempt by foreign forces to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK, including students studying abroad from China and Hong Kong,” the statement said.

Additional reporting by Edward White in Shanghai and Lucy Fisher in London