End the cooperation between the UG and the Chinese Fudan University!

The Independent Student wants the University of Groningen to end the cooperation with the Fudan University. In December 2019, the Fudan University has modified its charter, dropping the freedom of speech and thought, and included its new main goal to “weaponize the minds of teachers and students using Xi Jinping’s socialism ideology with characteristics of China in the new era.”

The new charter of the Fudan University requires a committee of the Communist Party of China to take the important decisions within the University. Next to that, the University has been actively censoring important COVID-19 research. These developments are extra painful to the University of Groningen, according to The Independent Student spokesperson Reender Reenders, since the UG has an exchange programme with this university, as well as a double degree course in cooperation with the Fudan University. “It is incomprehensible if the University of Groningen decides to continue its relationship with Fudan University. A Dutch University which respects its core academic values should not be cooperating with a University whose main goal is to indoctrinate its students and staff.”

Reenders concludes: “Academic freedom and independent research are the cornerstone of a University. The University of Groningen should hold these in the highest of regards.” The Independent Student calls for the Board of the University to end the cooperation with Fudan University as soon as possible.