Washington:US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has asserted that propaganda cells backed by China are operational in 30 American universities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Hegseth highlighted in a video message on the platform “X” that these cells have emerged despite a previous ban by the US Congress on Confucius Institutes. These institutes were described by Hegseth as Chinese government-supported cultural and propaganda programs that had infiltrated universities across nearly every state.

Hegseth revealed that these cells have resurfaced in new forms, with approximately 80 propaganda cells now active under different names. He emphasized that these groups are allegedly involved in attempts to steal intellectual property or incite students against the United States, categorizing them as threats to national security.