A New Zealand university has defended collaborations with a Chinese institution linked to a paramilitary colonial regime accused of mass detention and brainwashing campaigns. A political analyst said Massey University is being either naive or cynical in defending its relationship with Shihezi University​, and appears to be seeking “official cover” for the collaboration. Massey University said its long-standing connection with Shihezi​ University essentially related to work in agriculture including sheep genetics, farm management and animal science. “There is no direct relationship between Massey University and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC),” a Massey spokeswoman said. In a paper submitted to Parliament in late July, the University of Canterbury’s Anne-Marie Brady​ and two other scholars said “Shihezi University is the Bingtuan university”.

Source: Stuff September 09, 2020 17:01 UTC