German Academic Freedom Is Now Decided in Beijing

> As most observers know by now, Confucius Institutes present themselves as cultural organizations in the British Council mold, but their task is to advance Beijing’s political interests on Western campuses and beyond.

I think that's what the British Council does too?

quick quote from wikipedia:

> The role of British Council in Burma in 1947 came under scrutiny with release of classified documents to a BBC investigation by journalist Feargal Keane into the role of dissident British colonial officials in the assassination of the then Burmese independence leader Aung San (father of Aung San Suu Kyi).[83] The BBC programme quoted from a 1948 document sent by the Chief of Police in Rangoon to the British Ambassador stating their belief that there had been British involvement in the assassination of Aung San and his Cabinet for which one of his political opponents was hanged and that "the go-between" had been a British Council official named in the programme.

> Targeted companies and institutions were restricted from doing business with China.

Academics can simply shrug this off, but for many businesses, this could mean bankruptcy. And China doesn't even have to use this much, as just the possibility will ensure chilling effects restrict what businesses are willing to say.. or allow to be said on their platforms. Imagine a conglomerate, that owns TV stations, and has suppliers in China for their consumer products. Will they risk their consumer division, for the sake of airing an unfavorable news report?

Actually, it's much more decided by American sensibilities and fads.