The Dutch media reported that the University of Groningen has cancelled plans to establish an education center in Yantai University because of concerns about academic freedom and independence. The University and Dutch government were particularly concerned about reports that Beijing wanted to appoint a CCP member at the center to monitor the operations.

(Comment: The plans for the center were originally signed in 2015 during a visit to Beijing in the presence of Xi Jinping and Dutch King Willem-Alexander.)