Akshay DidwaniyaUS Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims dormant cells tied to China operated at 30 American universities. He says members tried to steal intellectual property and turn students against the United States.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says dormant cells linked to China were active at 30 American universities. He claims these groups tried to steal intellectual property and turn students against the United States.
Congress Banned Confucius Institutes Years Ago
Hegseth made the claim in a video statement posted on social media platform X. He said US Congress had already banned Confucius Institutes across the country. According to Hegseth, these are “culturally supported propaganda programs backed by the Chinese government, which had spread into universities in nearly every state.”
The institutes have long drawn scrutiny from American lawmakers. Critics argue they let Beijing influence what students learn on US campuses.
Eighty New Cells Found Under Different Names
Hegseth claimed the banned programs never really disappeared. They simply resurfaced under new identities. “They came back hidden in new forms. It turned out that 80 new propaganda cells had emerged at 30 universities under different names,” the defense secretary said.
He did not offer evidence or name specific universities involved. Hegseth added that these groups allegedly tried to steal intellectual property. He also said they worked to turn students against the US.
Pentagon Adds Groups to National Security Watchlist
The defense chief confirmed the Pentagon has taken formal action against these organizations. “We have added these dormant organizations to our list of structures threatening national security,” Hegseth stated.
The announcement comes amid rising friction between Washington and Beijing. Both nations have sparred recently over trade, technology and global influence. US officials have repeatedly flagged Chinese-linked academic programs as a security concern in recent months.
Aditya Didwaniya
Mayur Mohta
