University China centres are vulnerable to vested interests because of a lack of funding

Businesses and governments around the world are watching as China grows, innovates and extends its influence. We explore how the country got to where it is and what might be in store for its future in our series Understanding China's Influence. Centres at universities and research institutes focused on China have evolved over time to suit different purposes but in their present forms, these centres could sink as quickly as they surface. Without university funding these centres will need to be rescued by a generous donor with particular expectations, calling into question their independence. China centres in Australia share a number of common features. For a start they are relatively new. All but one, ANU's Contemporary China Centre, were established over the past ten to fifteen years to meet opportunities and challenges thrown up over the period. Based on my discussions with university board members, many of these specialist China centres were established as top-down initiatives by university executives eager to take advantage of the rising importance of China. These units attract government funds, business contributions and philanthropic donations.