Chinese government bans topics in classrooms

Chinese leaders have reportedly banned seven topics of discussion from university classrooms. 

Duke administrators have received no confirmation that this will impact the academic environment at Duke Kunshan University, said President Richard Brodhead.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported May 22 that the topics—freedom of press, universal values, wealth of government leaders, failures of the Communist party, judicial independence, economic neo-liberalism and civil societies—are banned because they are causing the country’s leaders to lose their ideological grip over students and younger faculty.

The article said that the new bans had been decided in February after the nation’s new leaders were announced.

“We heard the story, but we have no independent confirmation that this is even going to happen,” Brodhead said.  “People don’t even really know the nature of what we are dealing with here.”

He referred to the speculation that the topics have been banned as a “rumor.”

Brodhead added that administrators have spoken to several Chinese universities—including Wuhan University, Duke’s partner school in Kunshan—and none have received communication of the ban. 

“We are aware of the news reports concerning seven educational topics and have been following the issue with our contacts in China,” Mary Bullock, executive vice chancellor of DKU, wrote in an email Saturday. “To be clear: we have not received any written or verbal decree from the Chinese government, nor any indication that one will be coming.”

She added that DKU is still in the process of establishment. Although the university was originally set to open in Fall 2011, construction issues have led to delays. The campus now has an expected launch date of Fall 2014.

“Throughout this process, we have received assurances from our partners and authorities that DKU will be accorded the highest level of academic freedom, consistent with Duke University’s commitment to these values,” Bullock wrote.

During the foundational process of DKU, Brodhead has maintained that the Chinese government will not be able to interfere with students’ academic freedom.

“We have always understood that this is a potential issue, and we have always made it clear that DKU will require the highest level of academic freedom,” he said.

Brodhead added that he has received many rounds of assurances that the Chinese government will not impede learning at DKU from the city, provincial and federal levels.

He noted that the Chinese government has expressed approval of Duke’s presence in the country. 

“It is our hope and expectation that we can contribute to the education and civil debate on education issues when DKU opens for classes next year,” Bullock wrote.