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The University of Montana (UMT) is taking warmth from Republican lawmakers within the state after defending a program that enables teams tied to the Chinese Communist Party to host and pay for scholar journeys to China.
UMT is providing a controversial examine overseas program in China, known as the “CUSEF cultural exchange,” that has raised nationwide safety considerations from state lawmakers who say the teams that fund the journeys are “an organ of the CCP’s approach to influence operations.”
The program is teaming up with two CCP-tied teams for an upcoming summer season journey – the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), which is an influencing operation described by lawmakers as a “forum designed to advance CCP objectives,” and the Max S. Baucus Institute. The Baucus Institute, shaped by former Democrat senator of Montana and former Ambassador to China Max Baucus, is very funded by the Wanxiang Group, whose co-founder, Lu Guanqiu, was awarded the title of “National Outstanding Communist Party Member.”
Despite Montana GOP calls to “terminate” all ties with CUSEF, the university is defending the partnership and prompting extra concern from state lawmakers who consider the menace must be taken extra critically.
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The University of Montana provides a examine overseas program in China with the China-United States Exchange Foundation. (Justin Sullivan)
“Like many Montanans, I have grave concerns about the Chinese Communist Party shoveling money into American colleges and universities, including those in Montana, to target, spy on, and influence our institutions. The CCP is not our friend,” Gov. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., mentioned in a press release to Fox News Digital.
“Congressman [Ryan] Zinke remains concerned and disappointed that the university is not taking the Chinese threat seriously,” mentioned Heather Swift, spokesperson for Zinke, in a press release. “The Chinese communist propaganda machine relies on influencing young people and normalizing their misinformation campaigns. Programs like that offered at UM are vehicles for the propaganda.”
Republican Montana Reps. Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale co-signed a letter with the House Select Committee on the CCP to UMT President Seth Bodnar in early December, expressing their considerations over the Chinese group’s involvement with Montana college students and demanding the university drop this system from its curriculum. The faculty, nevertheless, continues to advertise its upcoming summer season China journey.
In the House letter to Bodnar, co-signed by Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., the lawmakers mentioned the CUSEF is a “key united front forum designed to advance CCP objectives in and beyond the PRC. The founder and longtime chair of CUSEF, Tung Chee-hwa, was the vice chair of the CPPCC and clearly aligns with CCP interests. Since the 1980s, Tung served as a proxy for the CCP in Hong Kong, where as the first chief executive he pushed for the kind of draconian national security legislation we see today.”
Fox News Digital beforehand reported on Chee-hwa’s shut ties to President Biden’s clear power czar, John Podesta, who repeatedly referred to him as his “friend” and mentioned he had the “highest regard” for him in previous emails.
A spokesperson mentioned “[Rep. Ryan] Zinke remains concerned and disappointed that the university is not taking the Chinese threat seriously.” (Drew Angerer)
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., advised Fox News Digital that “given the Chinese Communist Party’s malign influence, what the Select Committee on the CCP uncovered is troubling and deserves to be looked into further.”
Democrat Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s workplace didn’t reply to a number of inquiries when requested to remark on the matter.
When requested why UMT determined to stay in partnership with the CCP-tied teams whereas schools such because the University of Texas rejected accepting any such funding from the group, the university despatched an article that mirrored statements despatched to different retailers.
The UMT president mentioned the China journeys are in compliance with state and federal regulation and “rather than shrink opportunity, it is our responsibility to expand learning experiences for our students so that America can compete and win around the globe.”
Then-U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, left, shakes arms with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Alex Wong)
“As a former special forces officer, I understand firsthand the threats to freedom posed by foreign adversaries,” Bodnar advised the outlet. “This program is in complete compliance with state and federal law.”
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The dates for the subsequent China journey are to be decided, however an commercial for this system states that lodging, meals and journey insurance coverage will all be coated by the CUSEF group.
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