China university removes reference to ‘free thinking’ in charter
Revision comes as Communist Party attempts to restrict academic freedom
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Controversy has erupted after a leading Chinese university revised its charter to remove a reference to “free thinking” and adding a new stress on adhering to the leadership of the ruling Communist Party, Marxism and socialist theories of education.
The changes at Fudan University in Shanghai were revealed earlier this week and reflect the atmosphere of increasing academic control and conservatism under the administration of party leader and head of state Xi Jinping.
Online criticism of the move was quickly scrubbed by censors, but reports said some students and at least one professor had come out against the decision, actions that could have a serious impact on their future academic prospects and careers.
Since assuming control of the party in 2012, Mr Jinping has emphasised the need to guard against Western liberal democratic theories such as freedom of speech and academic inquiry, asserting that all power and authority accrue to the party.
That has resulted in the purging or imprisoning of academics who advocated for political reform or minority rights. Texts have also been revised to emphasise the party's leading role and some local governments have even reported burning books considered politically unacceptable.
People who answered phones at Fudan's office of propaganda on Thursday said no one was immediately available to comment on the revision or incidents on campus.
However, the changes to the charter were widely disseminated on social media sites including Twitter, which is blocked in China.
In a tweet, Fudan professor of modern Chinese history Sun Peidong said the move was in line with enduring party attempts to assert control over academia.
“As a professor of the PRC history at Fudan University, I am surprised by people's astonishment towards the bylaws' amendment by deleting 'academic independence and freedom of thought' and pledging the loyalty to (Chinese Communist Party) leadership,” he wrote.
Associated Press
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments