Victoria University stops anti-China Communist Party film after query

Documents obtained by The Australian reveal that Victoria University (VU) cancelled a film screening that was critical of the Chinese state-backed Confucius Institutes after the local Chinese Consulate sought “feedback” on the event. According to the report, the cancellation occurred after details of the screening were passed onto consulate officials after concerns were raised by the international director of Victoria University’s Confucius Institute, Professor Colin Clark. In an email sent to the university's facilities department on Sept. 7, Clark wrote, “I would like to talk to you about a facilities booking from the public that will become a problem for us.” Three days later on Sept. 10, Clark received an email from Claire Wang, the Chinese director of Victoria University’s Confucius Institute, with instructions on who to contact at the university, information detailing the interests of the Chinese Consulate in the event, and further details of the event. Wang is also a Chinese diplomat, according to The Australian.