Recipe for decline 2

You report in "Asian studies cuts may hit anti-terrorism effort" ( THES, July 11) that sweeping cutbacks in East Asian studies are in the offing.

Leeds University is cited as cutting two posts in Chinese and Japanese history when, in fact, it is expanding its provision. There is no shortage of student interest or vital research activity in the Durham East Asian studies department, which is to close.

Maintaining expertise on East Asia is an issue of national significance and cannot be left to the short-sightedness of the financial managers at a single institution.

Mark Williams
Flemming Christiansen Institute for Research on Contemporary China
University of Leeds