Commentary Recent reports suggest Australian universities are cash-strapped because government-mandated border closures due to the pandemic have contributed to a drop in foreign student numbers. Statistics confirm a marked reduction of students, especially those from China. Although this reduction may be due to the impact of Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions—notably the cancellation of international flights—some Chinese students may also be reluctant to study in a country that is, at present, perceived to be hostile to China. The recently agreed AUKUS agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia may well have provided the Chinese leadership with evidence of this perceived hostility. Also, the Australian higher education sector has adopted a set of guidelines to help counter foreign interference in the tertiary sector. However, there is a perception that these guidelines are directed towards unwanted Chinese interference in universities. In this environment, it is surprising that the University of Sydney’s recent statements …