Beijing’s increasingly bold attempts to shape global perceptions has seen Chinese students and staff on university campuses frequently targeted, harassed and intimidated for holding pro-democracy views, a new report says.

At the same time, with their eye firmly on their bottom lines, Australian universities have failed to protect those who are intimidated or harassed victims of such attacks, with Chinese students making up for 10 per cent of all university enrolments, the report from Human Rights Watch says.