Confucius Institutes: Are they free from the Chinese state?

A large scale school and university education programme, funded by the Chinese government, has been under attack in both the USA and Canada.

Confucius Institutes, which are established on almost 500 overseas university campuses, stand accused of threatening academic freedom.

But little has been heard from the organisation in its own defence.

John Sudworth, was given a rare opportunity to interview the official in charge of the programme.