U.S. suspends exchange programs with China, calling them 'propaganda'
Last edited Sat Dec 5, 2020, 03:49 AM - Edit history (2)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Friday it has ended five cultural exchange programs with China, calling them “soft power propaganda tools.”
The Department said on its website it had “terminated” the Policymakers Educational China Trip Program, the U.S.-China Friendship Program, the U.S.-China Leadership Exchange Program, the U.S.-China Transpacific Exchange Program and the Hong Kong Educational and Cultural Program.
It said that the programs had been set up under the auspices of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act - a 1961 law signed by President John F. Kennedy and aimed at boosting academic and cultural exchanges with foreign countries.
“While other programs funded under the auspices of the MECEA are mutually beneficial, the five programs in question are fully funded and operated by the (Chinese) government as soft power propaganda tools,” the statement said.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-exchange-program/u-s-suspends-exchange-programs-with-china-calling-them-propaganda-idUSKBN28F05U
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Initial article posted by Reuters:
(Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said late on Friday it has terminated five cultural exchange programs with China, calling them “soft power propaganda tools.”
“While other programs funded under the auspices of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act are mutually beneficial, the five programs in question are fully funded and operated by the (Chinese) government as soft power propaganda tools,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-exchange-program/u-s-suspends-exchange-programs-with-china-calling-them-propaganda-idUSKBN28F05U
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