My Response to a Coquitlam Confucius Institute student’s letter - after replying to me.

Re: “The Chinese Language and Culture Institute does not push propaganda” (Tri-City News, Oct. 29)

The Editor:

Letter-writer Adam Long claims that Coquitlam School District 43’s Chinese Language and Culture Institute, formerly known as the Confucius Institute, is “non-governmental”.  Fact: nothing is non-governmental in today’s China.  He also claims that it is “non-profit.”  Fact: it was formed to advance China’s “soft power”, to create a favourable body of opinion in the host country, much like sowing seeds overseas for cultivation. (To give an example: I studied in England which perhaps predisposed me to the UK despite its current government).

Trained as an educator, I am only too aware of what goes into curriculum – and what gets left out.  That material on Einstein and Darwin is part of its language program reflects how China is now ruled by engineers, including President Xi himself, who leaves his impression on everything. While hyperbole like “brainwashing” should be avoided, it is most concerning that mandarin immersion students at SD43 were subjected to ideology as a result of the 10^th anniversary celebration of the Institute.

Can language instruction be neutral?  When sponsored by China the answer is: no. Given the repressive nature of the regime, its imperialism regarding other language minorities, for example, and the absence of free speech within its borders, this is an impossibility.

Finally, there is the curious claim that “so many” Institute-detractors are “outside of the district”.  Must we build a wall around SD43, as well?  Or has it already done so?