Minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and other House Republicans on Wednesday sent a letter to President Biden urging him to take on a Trump-era proposal that would increase examination of China’s Confucius Institutes in the United States, funded by the state, according to a draft first obtained by Axios.
Why it’s important: Critics of the Chinese language and culture program say it is a “soft power” tool used to spread Beijing’s influence on university campuses. Republicans have accused Biden and his cabinet candidates of being “soft” with China and are pushing for it to take a tougher line.
Between lines: The proposed rule would have required K-12 colleges and schools to disclose any contract, partnership or financial transaction of China-funded institutes or groups of students, including Confucius Institutes or Chinese student and academic associations. .
- Although the Trump administration tried to achieve the proposed rule in its final days, it never came to an end. It is normal for a new administration to remove the non-definitive rules from the previous administration.
- Still, Republican members are urging Biden to re-introduce the rule “as soon as possible.”
The letter he refers to Biden’s recent call to Chinese President Xi Jinping and quotes him as saying, “If we don’t move, they will eat our lunch.”
- “Among the multitude of threats we face from China, the [Chinese Communist Party]The abuse of the American academic system to steal sensitive research and technology, limit free expression, and propagate our students is a special concern, ”the members wrote.
- In addition to McCarthy, the letter was signed by House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Michael McCaul (R-Texas), National Security Ranking member John Katko (RN.Y) and member of the National Security Committee. Education and Work ranking, Virginia Foxx (NC).
The big picture: The letter is the latest in a barrage of objections from Republican Congressmen, including Mr. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the withdrawal of the rule, though it has never been published. under President Trump.