The Scottish Government must urgently review the role of Chinese-funded Confucius Institutes, according to North East Scotland Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone.
The use of the bodies has expanded recently and Scotland now has more of the institutions at universities than any other country per capita.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signed a new deal this week to expand Confucius Classrooms in Scottish schools. Many universities in Europe and North America have closed such institutes, however, amid worries about propaganda on issues such as human rights.
Mr Johnstone said: “If the SNP really is keen to promote the teaching of Mandarin in our schools then it must do it for the right reasons and not because it is easier to take the money and hand over responsibility for teaching to a foreign government.”
Minister for Learning Alasdair Allan said only one institute, at Strathclyde University, received Government funding and insisted all of the bodies were independent.
He added: “The Scottish Government has no plans to review the role of CISS, however, officials continue to discuss with them future options available.”
