In recent days, the government of the southern French city of Nice has decided to withdraw the funding proposal for the Confucius Institute under pressure from the opposition.
According to the report by “Figaro,” a Confucius Institute located on the French Riviera had been relying on a material subsidy provided by the local government. However, the proposal was officially withdrawn during the city council meeting on December 18.
The content of this material subsidy included the Nice city government providing a 45-square-meter space in the old town area on a lease for three years with a 50% rent discount. In return, the Confucius Institute promised to “not only enhance the city’s reputation” but also adhere to France’s “secular principle” and “avoid any behavior that may disrupt public order.”
This agreement was a result of cooperation between Nice and Xiamen University in China. Since 2014, Xiamen and Nice have been sister cities. However, the proposal faced strong opposition in the city council and did not pass as expected.
The opposition repeatedly voiced their objections to funding the Confucius Institute and held press conferences. They pointed out that the Confucius Institute is an institution established by the Chinese Communist Party in 2004 to align with its international propaganda strategy. The Confucius Institute on the French Riviera (ICCA) is led by Christiane Amiel-Dinges, who is also the deputy mayor of Nice responsible for international affairs. This dual role has raised questions from the opposition about potential conflicts of interest.
Opposition leader Philippe Vardon stated, “In such a sensitive issue, there may be risks of conflict of interests, so it is natural for the city government to retreat.”
Ahead of the city council meeting, the opposition group released a statement: “By raising relevant questions at the preparatory meeting of the city council and holding a press conference, Philippe Vardon successfully persuaded Mayor Christian Estrosi to withdraw the funding proposal for the Confucius Institute.”
In response, the Nice city government stated that they are awaiting “further guarantees” based on “recently issued national security alerts.” According to the local newspaper “Nice Morning News,” these alerts are not new but rather a continued concern about the nature of activities at the Confucius Institute.
In France, the activities of Confucius Institutes have long sparked controversies regarding their influence and academic independence. In 2013, the second and third largest universities in Lyon, France closed their on-campus Confucius Institutes due to concerns about potential interference with academic freedom.
In 2021, the French Ministry of Defense’s strategic research institute (IRSEM) released a report detailing the expansion strategy of Confucius Institutes globally and their potential impact.
Currently, there are still 18 Confucius Institutes operating in France. However, with increasing questions about the nature of their activities, attention and resistance toward Confucius Institutes in French society are growing.