The centers, mainly located on American college campuses, ostensibly were set up to teach Chinese language and culture. But they have become centers for spreading pro-China propaganda and influence activities, including organizing Chinese communist student groups that challenge human rights activists and others.
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told a Senate hearing this week the FBI is investigating the institutes.
"We do share concerns about the Confucius Institutes. We’ve been watching that development for a while," Mr. Wray said, adding that the institutes are "one of many tools that [the Chinese] take advantage of."
"We have seen some decrease recently in their own enthusiasm and commitment to that particular program, but it is something that we’re watching warily and, in certain instances, have developed appropriate investigative steps."
Continues.