In a big jolt to China, the United States (US)’ Department of State headed by Michael Pompeo has decided to terminate five Chinese-funded cultural exchange programs, calling them Beijing’s propaganda tools, reports Economic Times.
Announcing the decision via a statement, Secretary Pompeo said that these programs conducted under a US law called the MECEA allowed US Government employees to travel using foreign Government funds under the garb of “cultural exchanges”.
Secretary Pompeo added that while the other programs funded under MECEA are mutually beneficial, the five programs which have now been terminated were fully funded and operated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as soft power propaganda tools.
Secretary Pompeo also shared that the five programs provided carefully curated access to the officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and not to the Chinese people who do not enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly.
It should be noted that over the recent years, the relationship between China and the US has been going through rough weathers troubled by trade woes, US’ growing closeness to Taiwan, issues related to China’s actions in Hong Kong, handling of COVID-19 virus and its origin and more.