Six Australian universities have quietly closed Chinese government-linked Confucius Institutes (CI) on their campuses, leaving seven open nationwide. Canberra has ramped up scrutiny on the education centers over concerns that Beijing is using them to spread propaganda and spy on Chinese international students. Beijing says its Confucius Institutes, which offer Chinese language and cultural classes overseas, are a "bridge reinforcing friendship" with the world. Western intelligence agencies have been concerned about Beijing's global reach through these education centers. Some universities in America and Europe also closed some of their branches. AI estimates there are approximately 30 Confucius Institutes operating in the US, down from a peak of around 1,201. In Canada, there are 13 Confucius Institutes operating.
