UCU: China

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes the recent Scottish TUC (STUC) delegation to the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU); the participation of the UCU Scotland Past President, who also visited university staff associations in Hong Kong; ACFTU's concept of trade-union internationalism – based on no discussion of 'internal affairs'; and STUC's policy on maintaining contact.
Congress recognises the importance of Chinese HE and (in counterpoint to the view of it as a competitive threat) the need to encourage collegial dialogue – including on issues of academic freedom and independent trade unionism – with institutions in mainland China and Hong Kong.
Congress urges Executive to support initiatives (including UCU Scotland's), directly and through Education International, to further this aim.
Congress asserts that UCU will continue – as in relations with any other country -to condemn abuses of the human rights of trade unionists and others; and to promote genuinely democratic values including freedom of expression.