Recent revelations indicate that British GCSE Chinese language textbooks have undergone modifications to eliminate references to Taiwan's autonomy following objections from Chinese officials. This development has sparked discussions about the extent of China's influence on educational materials in the United Kingdom.
The AQA GCSE Chinese textbook, initially published by Dragons Teaching in 2016, removed mentions of "the Republic of China" in subsequent editions. This alteration came after the publisher received a complaint from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, prompted by concerns raised by Chinese-language instructors working in British schools.
A specific example of the textbook modification involves a description of Yangmingshan National Park. The original text, which referred to the park as part of "the Republic of China," was changed to simply describe it as "a very famous national park." This revision omits any reference to Taiwan's political status.
The publishing company informed Hong Kong news outlets that the changes were made under pressure from the Chinese Embassy. A former employee stated, "The section of the textbook was revised under pressure from the [People's Republic of China] embassy, in the form of a letter of complaint." They added that the small independent publisher felt compelled to comply due to their size and resources.
It's worth noting that Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, has operated as a de facto independent nation since 1949. However, the People's Republic of China claims Taiwan as its territory under the One-China principle. This complex political situation has led to diplomatic tensions and challenges for Taiwan's international recognition.
Despite the controversy, the Chinese language GCSE course has grown in popularity among UK students. In 2024, over 3,700 students enrolled in AQA's Chinese language GCSE course, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. At least 40 state schools across the UK utilize the AQA Chinese textbook for language instruction.
Sam Dunning, director of UK-China Transparency, expressed concern about the situation, stating, "It seems rather petty that the Chinese Embassy felt it had to bully, in secret, a small publisher for referring to places in Taiwan. It underlines the extent the CCP goes to in its campaign to stifle expression in the UK."
The incident has raised questions about the broader implications of China's influence in various sectors of British society. Concerns have been voiced about potential interference in business, academia, public life, and politics. Examples of such concerns include alleged hacking of the Electoral Commission, sanctions on academics and lawyers, and the establishment of proxy groups within the British Chinese community and among students.
This textbook controversy comes at a time when the UK's stance towards China is under scrutiny. The Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, has recently taken a more conciliatory approach towards Beijing. In a recent 45-minute phone conversation with President Xi Jinping, Sir Keir reportedly expressed interest in pursuing closer economic ties between the UK and China.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the UK will balance its educational integrity, economic interests, and diplomatic relations with China in the coming years.