Västernorrland, Sweden — Björn Alexander Düben, a German assistant professor at Jilin University’s School of Public Diplomacy, was mysteriously dismissed and instructed to leave China after a nine-year tenure, following his participation in an interview with Voice of America (VOA). This dismissal highlights the severe restrictions on free speech imposed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Düben’s troubles began shortly after he commented on Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe in an article published by VOA Mandarin on May 11. The next day, he received a WeChat message from the university’s international secretary, which stated, “It is well known that colleges and universities must be responsible for any form of interviews with domestic and foreign media.” This message hinted at the sensitive nature of his comments regarding the Chinese leadership.
On May 15, Düben was informed that his classes for the day were suspended due to all classrooms being occupied. Shortly after, a colleague informed him that not only were his classes canceled indefinitely, but his employment was also being terminated, citing decisions made by “unspecified higher-level authorities.” Düben was also told that his China Talent visa, which was valid until 2033, would be canceled unless he chose to resign or face a disciplinary inquiry, both of which would likely lead to his dismissal.
Feeling cornered and fearing repercussions from contesting the decision, Düben chose to resign. Following his resignation, he was told he could retain his visa but had to leave China by May 30 and would be barred from re-entering the country. The university administrator indicated that these were instructions from “above,” allowing no room for negotiation.
This incident wasn’t Düben’s first foray into media commentary. Over the years, he had frequently provided insights on sensitive topics related to China’s foreign policy for various international outlets, including Reuters and The Diplomat, a current affairs magazine. However, his comments on Xi Jinping’s visit, despite being similar in nature to his previous commentary, triggered unprecedented consequences, possibly due to the current heightened political sensitivities in China.
Eric, who did not provide a last name, is a former agent of the Political Security Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security who has since fled to Australia. He shed light on the possible internal reactions to Düben’s comments. He suggested that such statements could be seen as offensive by Chinese authorities, particularly if they perceive them as undermining the image of the CCP or its leaders. Eric explained, “After your report came out, anyone who sees it, such as Chinese media correspondents stationed abroad or other officials, may report the public opinion involving the number one leader to their superiors… The senior leaders of the superior department will think the situation is serious and initiate countermeasures, such as deciding to expel the person mentioned in the article from the country.”
Furthermore, Düben commented on the Russia-Ukraine war in the VOA story, noting that “Russia has long been short of basic ammunition, but now many supply loopholes have been plugged,” and “Russia currently needs the most parts that China can provide but is difficult to track specific dual-use parts.” Eric said the comment on the loopholes needs fact-checking. “If it’s not true, the Chinese government will think it is a frame-up and smear, and the anger of being wronged can easily lead to retaliation. If true, how can an ordinary assistant professor come to this conclusion?”
The conditions of Düben’s employment contract at Jilin University, which mandated adherence to China’s sovereignty and social order and prohibited any activities that could disrupt academic or ideological norms, were also noted. These vague clauses could have been weaponized against him, impacting his legal standing and complicating any defense he might mount in a legal challenge against his dismissal.
Erika Staffas Edström, an analyst at the Swedish National China Center at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, commented on the broader implications of such incidents. She told VOA, “It is clear that the Chinese Communist Party has stepped up its efforts to strengthen its control on global discourse and information in recent years. However, it is too early to say whether this specific incident represents another step by the Chinese Communist Party to strengthen its control over free speech.”
Overall, Düben’s case exemplifies the increasing challenges that foreign academics face in China, where political sensitivities can trigger harsh reactions from authorities, leading to censorship and suppression of academic freedom. This incident not only affects Düben but also serves as a warning to the international academic and diplomatic communities about the risks of engaging in sensitive discussions related to China’s political landscape.
Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
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