Universities including Wellesley are facing tests of their commitment to academic freedom as partner universities in China impose censorship. Some hold fast considering engagement preferable to pulling out, but all fret over compromises of democratic ideals. (The New York Times, December 11, 2-013, by Tamar Lewin)
In spite of Peking University’s firing of an economics professor in October presumably for speaking out in ways that upset the Communist government, Princeton elected to expand their operations in the country. But a Princeton administrator said, “If the political system became more repressive, we are not so deeply sunk that we would not be able to leave.” (Princeton Alumni Weekly, December 4, 2013, by Christopher Shea)
The Economist, January 5, 2013, commented that U.S. universities are finding it difficult to work in an academic system with values, standards and goals contrary to those valued in the West. The Chinese government regards universities as training grounds for loyal Communists who will take up leadership roles in government and business.