But to its critics the government-run body - which offers language and cultural programmes overseas - is a way for Beijing to spread propaganda under the guise of teaching, interfere with free speech on campuses and even to spy on students. In recent weeks, a flurry of universities around the world have shut down programmes operated by the institute. And in Australia, an investigation is even unde
![Confucius Institutes: The growth of China's controversial cultural branch](https://cdn-ak-scissors.b.st-hatena.com/image/square/561194bb2a945d5100f42fb8e4ecc3f1eb0c2d0e/height=288;version=1;width=512/https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F1024%2Fbranded_news%2F601D%2Fproduction%2F_108550642_gettyimages-634338950.jpg)