Various governments and independent organizations in different countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., have documented the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) efforts to influence, monitor, and, in some cases, use Chinese students and scholars abroad for its own purposes.

This is often done through various channels, including Chinese Students and Scholars Associations (CSSAs), which are sometimes linked to Chinese embassies and consulates.

Here's a breakdown of the key points from these reports:

• Surveillance and Intimidation: There are accounts from Chinese students and academics who have reported being pressured to monitor and report on their classmates and fellow researchers, particularly regarding topics considered "sensitive" by the CCP, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, and human rights. In some cases, students' families in China have been harassed or threatened by authorities as a way to pressure the students abroad.

• Controlling Student Organizations: CSSAs, which are present at many universities outside of China, are often described as being influenced or even controlled by Chinese diplomatic missions. These organizations are sometimes used to promote pro-Beijing narratives, suppress free speech, and monitor the activities of Chinese students who might hold dissenting views. There have been instances where CSSAs have worked to disrupt events or lectures featuring speakers critical of the CCP.

• Espionage and Intellectual Property Theft: Concerns have been raised by law enforcement and intelligence agencies about a smaller number of Chinese students and researchers being involved in espionage and the theft of intellectual property. This is often focused on fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with the aim of advancing China's national strategies.

• Financial Influence: Some reports suggest that universities' financial dependence on tuition fees from Chinese international students can make them more susceptible to pressure from the Chinese government, leading them to be less willing to protect academic freedom on campus.

It's important to note that these activities are attributed to the CCP and its agents, and not to the vast majority of Chinese students who are studying abroad for legitimate academic and personal reasons. The Chinese government has denied these accusations, stating that it respects freedom of speech and that its citizens are required to abide by local laws.

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Chinese students at UK universities are being pressured to spy on their classmates in an attempt to suppress the discussion of issues that are sensitive to the Chinese government, a new report suggests.

The UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank says its survey of academics in China studies also highlighted reports of Chinese government officials warning lecturers to avoid discussing certain topics in their classes.

It comes days after a new law came into force placing more responsibility on universities to uphold academic freedom and free speech.

The Chinese embassy in London called the report "groundless and absurd", adding that China respects freedom of speech in the UK and elsewhere.

The regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), says freedom of speech and academic freedom are "fundamental" to higher education.

The new legislation, which came into force last week, says universities should do more to actively promote academic freedom and freedom of speech, including in cases where institutions have agreements in place with other countries.

Universities could be fined millions if they fail to do so, the OfS has said.

However, the UKCT report says some universities are reluctant to address the issue of Chinese interference because of their financial reliance on Chinese student fees.

The report alleges that some Chinese academics involved in sensitive research had been denied visas by the Chinese government, while others said family members back in China had been harassed or threatened because of their work in the UK.

Those sensitive topics can range from science and tech to politics and humanities, the report says, such as alleged ethnic cleansing in China's Xinjiang region, the outbreak of Covid or the rise of Chinese technology companies.

Some academics reported intimidation by visiting scholars or other Chinese officials, as well as by staff at Confucius Institutes.

These are partnership organisations operating at several UK universities, which bring together institutions in the UK and China, as well as a Chinese government agency which provides funding.

They promote Chinese culture and language on UK campuses, but have been criticised over alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

OfS chief executive Susan Lapworth previously said she expected Confucius Institutes to be looked into under the new free speech laws, over concerns that they could present a threat to free speech on campuses.

The OfS already has powers to ensure free speech is upheld by universities, including against any threats from the influence of foreign states or institutions.

Those powers are due to be strengthened with a new complaints system, in which university staff members and visiting speakers will be able to raise issues directly with the OfS.

The regulator also said universities should amend or terminate any agreements which threatened free speech on campus, including scholarships or schemes funded by foreign countries.

The BBC understands the OfS expects universities to have "an appropriate level of curiosity" about any such arrangements, regardless of any potential loss of income for the university.

A Chinese embassy spokesperson said the country had always adhered to its policy of not interfering with other countries' internal affairs.

However, the UKCT says its survey responses from academics suggested some students from China had told their lecturers they had been asked to spy on their peers by Chinese officials.

Other students, of various nationalities, reported being uncomfortable discussing issues in class deemed sensitive to the Chinese government, and were reluctant to pursue further academic interest in these subjects, the report says.

Universities UK, which represents 141 institutions, said they "take any threats to the freedom of their staff or students extremely seriously, and we work closely with the government to prevent this".

"Anyone working or studying at our universities should know that their rights to personal and academic freedom are protected when they are on British soil," a spokesperson added.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK "will not be tolerated".

"We are also working directly with the Office for Students to support universities in safeguarding free speech and tackling any form of harassment on campus," she added.

She said academic freedom was "non-negotiable in our world-leading institutions", adding that the implementation of the new legislation made that "explicitly clear".

The record £585,000 fine handed down by the OfS earlier this year has "put universities on notice" that they must do their part to protect these freedoms, she added, or they will "face the consequences".

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Is the world in a total mess with the rise of China as an economic power?

The rise of China as a major economic power has undoubtedly had a profound and complex impact on the world, with both positive and negative consequences that have led to a "total mess" in the eyes of some.

It's a situation with many different facets, and it's helpful to look at the various arguments and perspectives on the issue.

The Arguments for a "Mess"-

• Trade Imbalances and Protectionism: China's rapid growth as the "factory of the world" has led to massive trade surpluses with many countries, particularly the United States and Europe. Critics argue that China's use of industrial policies, subsidies, and state-directed capital has created unfair competition, leading to job losses in manufacturing in other nations. This has, in turn, fueled a rise in protectionist policies and trade wars.

• Geopolitical Tensions: China's economic power has allowed it to pursue more assertive foreign policies. Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been criticized for creating "debt traps" for developing countries and for expanding its geopolitical influence. China's growing military capabilities, funded by its economic success, have also raised concerns among its neighbors and Western powers.

• Intellectual Property Theft and Cyber Espionage: Many governments and companies have accused China of engaging in widespread intellectual property theft and cyber espionage to gain a technological and economic advantage. These actions are seen as a direct threat to the innovation and economic security of other nations.

• Human Rights and Authoritarianism: The CCP's authoritarian model of governance, combined with its economic success, has challenged the long-held belief that economic liberalization would inevitably lead to political reform. Critics argue that China's rise has emboldened other authoritarian regimes and created a world where economic engagement is increasingly decoupled from human rights concerns.

• Global Overcapacity and Deflationary Pressure: China's huge industrial capacity, particularly in sectors like steel, solar panels, and electric vehicles, has led to a global oversupply. This "overcapacity" can drive down prices and harm industries in other countries, creating deflationary pressure and economic instability.

The Arguments Against a "Mess"-

• Poverty Reduction: China's economic rise has lifted hundreds of millions of its own citizens out of poverty, a development that is widely considered one of the most significant achievements in human history.

• Engine of Global Growth: For decades, China's economic growth has been a major driver of the global economy, providing a huge market for goods and services from other countries and acting as a key "locomotive" for international trade.

• Consumer Benefits: The availability of low-cost, high-quality "Made in China" goods has provided significant benefits for consumers around the world, increasing their purchasing power and access to a wide range of products.

• Investment and Development: China's foreign direct investment (FDI) and its role as a major creditor to developing nations, particularly through the BRI, have funded massive infrastructure projects in countries that would not have otherwise had access to such capital. This has helped to boost economic development in many parts of the world.

• Supply Chain Integration: China's deep integration into global supply chains has created efficiencies and fostered a system of interconnected production that has benefited many multinational corporations and their consumers.

In conclusion, the rise of China is a complex phenomenon with a dual nature. On one hand, it has created new challenges and exacerbated existing tensions, leading to a sense of a "messy" and unpredictable world. On the other, it has also been a powerful force for poverty reduction, global economic growth, and development. The ongoing debate is less about whether China's rise is a "mess" and more about how the world can manage the challenges it presents while still reaping its benefits.