Thread by @bjornjerden

Chinese authorities imposed sanctions on me on Monday. Since then, I have received hundreds of messages of support from people and organizations around the world. I'm grateful and overwhelmed to see that free and independent research has such a strong backing.

1/

The board of my employer, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, condemns the sanctions:

‘It is completely unacceptable that China imposes sanctions on academics who conduct free and open research’

https://twitter.com/ResearchUI/status/1374633218457153540

2/

The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ann Linde, has also denounced the decision. Several other European governments and EU institutions have also voiced their criticism.

https://twitter.com/AnnLinde/status/1374427513837920261

3/

I was interviewed yesterday by the Swedish news agency TT.

My message:

- I firmly reject the sweeping and groundless charges that I should have been spreading 'lies and disinformation'.

https://twitter.com/ttnyhetsbyran/status/1374423488270798857

4/

- China responds to EU sanctions on human rights abuses by trying to silence independent researchers.

- China's sanctions against scholars and think-tanks are unprecedented but not surprising. The CCP has made clear that it doesn't tolerate independent research on China.

5/

- It has regrettably become difficult to do research about China without encountering interference from the Chinese government. As China becomes more important around the world, this highlights the need for a strong and independent China research community in Europe.

6/

The directors of over 30 European research institutions:

'We ... deeply regret the inclusion of academic researchers and civil society institutions in the current tensions. We will stand by our colleagues who have been targeted this way.'

7/

https://twitter.com/ResearchUI/status/1374998841968238592