Reducing Pressure In China Australian University Report Called Australian Universities.

Chinese Democratic students in Australia experience harassment and fear of punishment for speaking on sensitive topics, a new report says. Human Rights Watch found that such students in Australia felt they were being watched, leading to much self-censorship in the classroom. Academics who teach Chinese courses in the country say they are also under censorship pressure.

The Chinese Embassy in Canberra flatly rejected the report on Wednesday, calling it "biased." Human Rights Watch has "become a political tool for the West," he said, and the group "has always been prejudiced against China."The Australian government announced it was "deeply concerned" by the report.

Concerns about China's influence at local universities have increased due to deteriorating relations between the two countries. Canberra is already investigating allegations of possible foreign interference. In its report, Human Rights Watch warned that perceived pressure from China was undermining the academic freedom of Australian universities.

Australia's higher education system relies heavily on fee-paying Chinese students, who in the time of Covid accounted for around 40% of all international students in the country. There are currently around 160,000 Chinese students enrolled in Australian universities.

"Culture of self-censorship"

Human Rights Watch said it interviewed nearly 50 students and academics within Australia and found an "atmosphere regarding fear" that had worsened in modern years. Researchers say they have confirmed three cases where a student in Australia prompted police in China to visit or contact their family about their actions.

In one case, Chinese authorities further threatened a student in jail after opening a Twitter account in Australia and posting a pro-democracy message. Many said they were afraid of fellow students reporting them to the Chinese embassy.

"Fear that something they did in Australia could result in their parents being punished or interrogated at home by all the pro-democracy students interviewed," the report said. The students surveyed - 11 from mainland China and 13 from Hong Kong - said there had been an increase in bullying in Australia following local protests for Hong Kong in 2019.