LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas plans to close its Confucius Institute in January, in part because federal funding for universities that host the China-linked facilities has been reduced.

An email distributed Monday to faculty and staff from University of Kansas interim Provost Carl Lejuez said the school believes strong engagement with China is critical to U.S. higher education, The Lawrence Journal-World reported.

"However, a Confucius Institute is not a necessary component for KU to productively engage with China, support collaborative faculty research, and prepare students,"...