Under the rule of Xi Jinping, China imposes strict control over what it's citizens are allowed to " see " and " hear ", and now that is being extended to cover what they " think " ! The charter of several of its most famous universities has been altered to abolish " freedom of thought " and to relegate " academic independence " to a lower priority than " patriotism ".
When this change to the charter of Fudan university in Shanghai was made public the media was quick to remove any criticism from China's heavily censored internet. It seems to be the aim of the government to mesh patriotism to the Chinese nation with patriotism to the ruling Chinese Communist party.
Another part of Fudan universities charter was changed to pledge party allegiance. " The university adheres to the leadership of the Chinese Communist party and will fully implement the party's educational policy ".
Critics see this as a threat and claim the change will " weaponize the minds of teachers and students using Xi Jinping's socialism ideology with characteristics of China in this new era." It certainly opens the door to putting obstacles to forms of research which are deemed " contrary to Communist party policy ".
Perhaps China is learning something from the riots occurring in Hong Kong. It was a law change to allow Hong Kong citizens to be forced into mainland China to face court for their crimes that brought more than a million citizens onto the streets week after week to protest. When police violence escalated it was a hard core from the universities that took the protest into open warfare. A student nucleus were prepared to face death in their struggle to maintain the freedom granted under the " one country, two systems " plan negotiated when Hong Kong passed back to China when its lease expired.
It must occur to the Chinese government that the vast trove of young Chinese men and women studying overseas at western universities are being exposed to thought that is anathema to Communist party dogma. The control measure available to the Communist party is their explicit domination of both the job prospects and social standing of family members who remain in China and are under Communist party control.
What is not forgotten are the days of Chairman Mao and his " little red book ". The convulsions of the " Cultural revolution " put China back decades as " Red Guards " rushed to implement the thoughts of Mao by brain washing academics. Anyone with intellectual capacity was sent to do menial jobs in the countryside to improve their outlook. That was a disaster for China which the present rulers would be wise not to repeat.
This move to implement thought control could have unintended consequences. Eventually China may have to impose travel restrictions because its best and brightest will have an urge to live and work overseas where academic freedom welcomes innovation. Once that travel door closes China will face the same malaise that eventually brought an end to the Soviet Union.
Thought control is a pathway to stagnation !
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