Sweden has shut down the last of its Chinese state-sponsored teaching programmes as relations between the two countries deteriorate into hostility and mutual suspicion.

via thetimes.co.uk

Sweden has shut down the last of its Chinese state-sponsored teaching programmes as relations between the two countries deteriorate into hostility and mutual suspicion.

It is believed to be the first European state to close all its Confucius institutes and classrooms, which teach Chinese language and culture with textbooks and funding from Beijing.

Analysts regard the closure as a sign that the once-cordial ties between Sweden and China are unravelling at speed amid accusations of bullying, meddling and incompetence.

Until 2015 their partnership had been close, with China founding its first European Confucius institute at Stockholm University in 2005 and Volvo, the pride of the Swedish car industry, passing into Chinese hands in 2010.

Yet the governments fell out over the arrest of Gui Minhai,

…