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#BREAKING (kind of - but read this).
Further information on this story from @RadioFreeAsia .
Yes, Hanban is changing its name, but more to it - and some information (yet to be confirmed, but expect an announcement soon). #Hanban #ConfuciusInstitute
#Thread https://twitter.com/RFA_Chinese/status/1279264642997469185
Further information on this story from @RadioFreeAsia .
Yes, Hanban is changing its name, but more to it - and some information (yet to be confirmed, but expect an announcement soon). #Hanban #ConfuciusInstitute
#Thread https://twitter.com/RFA_Chinese/status/1279264642997469185
Hanban will change its name and retain worldwide responsibility for the HSK (I expect)
The newly renamed unit will remain a centre in the Ministry of Education: Sino-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Centre (中外语言交流中心)
The newly renamed unit will remain a centre in the Ministry of Education: Sino-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Centre (中外语言交流中心)
However, this new unit (word on the street) will *not* have responsibility for the Confucius Institutes, as it does under the current set-up.
Some information here on "possible" (and as yet unconfirmed/unannounced) set-up.
But I'm sure this will be confirmed before too long
Some information here on "possible" (and as yet unconfirmed/unannounced) set-up.
But I'm sure this will be confirmed before too long
Rumour is, CIs will be managed under a Charitable Foundation established in the PRC, and not under the Ministry of Education.
Checking the China Social Org Public Service Platform, there is a newly established charitable foundation which ticks all the boxes here.
Checking the China Social Org Public Service Platform, there is a newly established charitable foundation which ticks all the boxes here.
Name: China International Chinese Language Education Foundation
中文: 中国国际中文教育基金会
Type: Foundation
Registered Under: PRC Ministry of Civil Affairs (central, not municipal/provincial
Sponsored: PRC Ministry of Education
Est: 19th June 2020
中文: 中国国际中文教育基金会
Type: Foundation
Registered Under: PRC Ministry of Civil Affairs (central, not municipal/provincial
Sponsored: PRC Ministry of Education
Est: 19th June 2020
Two other crucial pieces of information
Legally responsible person is listed as Yang Wei (杨卫).
Possibly not the same Yang Wei, but "a" Prof Yang Wei was President of Zhejiang University, an engineer who obtained his PhD at Brown University (US)
Safe pair of hands for MoE.
Legally responsible person is listed as Yang Wei (杨卫).
Possibly not the same Yang Wei, but "a" Prof Yang Wei was President of Zhejiang University, an engineer who obtained his PhD at Brown University (US)
Safe pair of hands for MoE.
Second point
Address given is 15 Xueyuan Rd in Haidian, effectively on BLCU's campus and is the same address listed by the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), a publi org also under the MoE
CSCSE has a number of roles, including registering foreign degrees....
Address given is 15 Xueyuan Rd in Haidian, effectively on BLCU's campus and is the same address listed by the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), a publi org also under the MoE
CSCSE has a number of roles, including registering foreign degrees....
....coordinating recruitment expos, tours and events for foreign universities recruiting in China, and marketing PRC universities internationally.
So, looks like rumours are true - CIs are being "one-step-removed" from direct govt control, shifted to NGO, or QUANGO status
It will not be a govt org, but is officially approved by MoCA and sponsored by the MoE (all charities, foundations require a sponsor under the new law).
It will not be a govt org, but is officially approved by MoCA and sponsored by the MoE (all charities, foundations require a sponsor under the new law).
This is a fascinating move for several reasons.
Specifically, it nullifies criticism of CIs as being under direct control of Beijing (not many will buy this)
Legally, may limit argument that CIs cannot exist on US campuses where National Defense funded language programs run?
Specifically, it nullifies criticism of CIs as being under direct control of Beijing (not many will buy this)
Legally, may limit argument that CIs cannot exist on US campuses where National Defense funded language programs run?
While many critics (in media, academia and govt) are likely to dismiss this as a cynical move which makes no meaningful difference, it *may* limit the the way in which US, UK and other govts can force CIs to close or argue they constitute a form of govt interference.
More generally, it raises a major question about whether or not we'll see similar moves elsewhere.
I wrote a thread here after hearing this rumour, but this info on the new foundation all but confirms it (along with the Hanban name change). https://twitter.com/mikeygow/status/1271146709121404934?s=20
I wrote a thread here after hearing this rumour, but this info on the new foundation all but confirms it (along with the Hanban name change). https://twitter.com/mikeygow/status/1271146709121404934?s=20
Will we, for example, see more of these internationally-focused charitable foundations set up in the Mainland to facilitate cultural exchange and interaction beyond China's borders?
Will more govt units be QUANGO'd in a similar way? What about media, sports, entertainment orgs?
Will more govt units be QUANGO'd in a similar way? What about media, sports, entertainment orgs?
Its an extremely important question.
Xi Jinping does not oppose #civilsociety. He acknowledges that it imbues a political entity with an almost impenetrable shield.
Yet Xi and the CCP are ambivalent to #civsoc
Xi Jinping does not oppose #civilsociety. He acknowledges that it imbues a political entity with an almost impenetrable shield.
Yet Xi and the CCP are ambivalent to #civsoc
They want a civil society underpinned by distinctly "Chinese" values, not the values of the liberal democratic order.
This new organization is very likely to become the #newnormal
This new organization is very likely to become the #newnormal
