October 30, 2026

The US Department of War's recent designation of Confucius Institutes in the US as a national security threat has added friction to China-US educational and cultural exchanges. At a recent press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the move as an act of stigmatization and reaffirmed the mutual benefits of educational cooperation between the two countries. 

This raises a broader question: How can China and the US deepen mutual understanding amid growing complexity in their relationship? Concerns about specific programs should be assessed on the basis of evidence and addressed through clear rules, while preserving opportunities for legitimate educational and cultural exchange.

From a Chinese perspective, educational and cultural engagement is more than a supplement to bilateral diplomacy. It helps build mutual understanding, cultivate trust and sustain cooperation between societies with different historical experiences, cultural traditions and social systems. Such engagement cannot resolve every strategic disagreement, but it can help both sides understand the context in which the other's decisions are made.

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1373324.shtml