US halts China-funded exchange programs, calls them ‘propaganda tools’
- Exchange programs in the US are conducted under Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act, 1961
- "Other programs funded under the auspices of the MECEA are mutually beneficial," Pompeo said in a statement
- Five programs are fully funded and operated by the Chinese government, Pompeo added
The US State Department said Friday it was terminating five China-funded exchange programs, calling them propaganda tools for Beijing, AFP reported. Such programs are run under the USA’s Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.
In a statement, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that such programs, conducted under the MECEA of 1961, allows American government employees to travel using foreign government funds, were “disguised as ‘cultural exchanges.”
“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 PRC government as soft power propaganda tools,” Pompeo said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
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