MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities

The Guardian disclosed that Sheffield Hallam University had blocked the work of a professor whose work was critical of China’s human rights record. Photograph: eye35/Alamy

The foreign affairs select committee is drawing up plans to examine Chinese government interference in academia as part of its inquiry into the UK’s strategy towards Beijing.

MPs are broadening the scope of their investigation into the China audit, an internal government review of UK-China relations that concluded in June, to look into Chinese state influence at British universities.