UK Academics Urge Transparency in University Donations Amid Concerns Over Chinese Influence

Academics in the UK are calling for greater openness about university donations after a report revealed substantial funding from a Hong Kong donor for King's College's China studies institute. Concerns have been raised over potential donor influence and the reliance on high-fee-paying international students from China.

A group of scholars and intellectuals in the United Kingdom is pressing universities to be more transparent about their donation sources following a report by Nikkei Asia uncovering that a Hong Kong-based donor has been funding a prominent China studies institute at King's College London.

The July report from UK-China Transparency, a non-profit focused on UK-China relations, revealed that 99.9 percent of donations, totaling over 10 million pounds, to King's Lau China Institute came from Lau Ming-wai, son of Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau and chair of Chinese Estates Holdings.

In reaction, academics have criticized King's College for its lack of transparency regarding these donations, despite UK laws allowing public access to such information. Andrew Chubb, a lecturer on Chinese politics, termed the decision corrosive to institutional trust. Sam Dunning, director of UK-China Transparency, argued that public awareness is crucial to understand any donor influence over academic agendas.

Amid accusations against Beijing for human rights abuses and the UK's financial dependence on Chinese students, concerns grow over the potential impact on academic freedom. Around 40 percent of international students in the UK, who pay significantly higher tuition fees, are from China, creating a financial incentive for universities to avoid upsetting Beijing. Over 120 academics and campaigners have previously highlighted the issue of opaque funding sources in British universities.

John Heathershaw of the University of Exeter reiterated the lack of transparency surrounding anonymous donations, emphasizing an urgent need for reform in university funding disclosures.

(With inputs from agencies.)