US sees ‘malign influence’ in China-backed school program

The Trump administration is encouraging U.S. schools and colleges to rethink their ties to the Confucius Institute, a program that brings Chinese language classes to America but that officials say also invites a “malign influence” from China. In letters to universities and state education officials, the administration says the program gives China a foothold on U.S. soil and poses a threat to free speech. More than 60 U.S. universities host Confucius Institute programs through partner