By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - A Canberra-based anti-China think tank has halted China-related research projects after the administration of US President Donald Trump froze foreign funding and international programs, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported Tuesday.
Bethany Allen, the head of China Investigations and Analysis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), confirmed the suspension of US funding has forced the institute to halt approximately $1.2 million in China-related research and data projects focused on cybersecurity and technology issues.
"Because of the U.S. funding freezing, the entire global ecosystem of China nonprofits is facing an extinction event," Allen said on social media, urging other governments to fill the funding gap.
Established in 2001, ASPI labels itself as an "independent, non-partisan" think tank, yet it has frequently promoted "false" narratives about China, according to Xinhua News.