The University of Montana (UMT) is coming under fire from state Republican lawmakers after defending a program that allows groups linked to the Chinese Communist Party to organize and pay for student trips to China.
UMT is offering a controversial study abroad program in China, known as “CUSEF cultural exchange,” that has raised national security concerns from state lawmakers who say the groups funding the trips are “an organ of the PCC’s approach to influencing operations. “
The program is partnering with two CCP-linked groups for an upcoming summer trip: the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), which is an influence operation described by lawmakers as a “forum designed to promote the goals of the PCC”, and the Max Institute S. Baucus. The Baucus Institute, formed by former Montana Democratic senator and former ambassador to China Max Baucus, is largely funded by the Wanxiang Group, whose co-founder Lu Guanqiu was awarded the title of “Outstanding National Member of the Communist Party.”
Despite calls from the Montana Republican Party to “terminate” all ties with CUSEF, the university is defending the partnership, prompting further concern from state lawmakers who believe the threat should be taken more seriously.
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The University of Montana offers a study abroad program in China with the China-US Exchange Foundation. (Justin Sullivan)
“Like many Montanans, I am deeply concerned that the Chinese Communist Party is pouring money into American colleges and universities, including those in Montana, to attack, spy on and influence our institutions. The CCP is not our friend,” said Governor Greg Gianforte. , R-Mont., he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Congressman [Ryan] Zinke remains concerned and disappointed that the university is not taking the Chinese threat seriously,” Heather Swift, Zinke’s spokeswoman, said in a statement. “The Chinese communist propaganda machine relies on influencing young people and normalizing their propaganda campaigns. disinformation. “Programs like the one offered at UM are vehicles of propaganda.”
Montana Republican Reps. Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale co-signed a letter with the House Select Committee on the CCP to UMT President Seth Bodnar in early December, expressing concerns about the Chinese group’s involvement with Montana students and demanding that the university drop the program. your study plan. The university, however, continues to promote its upcoming summer trip to China.
In the House letter to Bodnar, co-signed by Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., the lawmakers said CUSEF is a “key united front forum designed to promote CCP objectives inside and outside the People’s Republic of China. The founder and long-time chairman of CUSEF, Tung Chee-hwa, is a former vice chairman of the CPPCC and is clearly aligned with the interests of the CCP. From the 1980s, Tung served as the CCP’s representative in Hong Kong, where, as its first chief executive, he pushed for the kind of draconian national security legislation we see today.”
Fox News Digital previously reported on Chee-hwa’s close ties to President Biden’s clean energy czar, John Podesta, who repeatedly referred to him as his “friend” and said he had “the utmost respect” for him in emails. previous electronics.
A spokesperson said “[Rep. Ryan] “Zinke remains concerned and disappointed that the university is not taking the Chinese threat seriously.” (Drew Angerer)
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, told Fox News Digital that “given the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party, what the CCP Select Committee discovered is troubling and deserves further investigation.”
Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester’s office did not respond to multiple inquiries when asked to comment on the matter.
When asked why UMT decided to remain associated with CCP-linked groups while universities such as the University of Texas refused to accept such funding from the group, the university sent an article that mirrored statements sent to other media outlets.
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The UMT president said travel to China complies with state and federal laws and “rather than reducing opportunities, it is our responsibility to expand learning experiences for our students so that the United States can compete and win around the world.” “.
Then-U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Alex Wong)
“As a former special forces officer, I understand firsthand the threats to freedom posed by foreign adversaries,” Bodnar told the outlet. “This program is in full compliance with state and federal laws.”
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Dates for the next trip to China are to be determined, but a program announcement states that lodging, meals and travel insurance will be covered by the CUSEF group.
