THE mystery surrounding Jonathan Bell's China visit deepened last night when it emerged the Confucius Institute did not fund the trip.
The DUP assembly member has been asked to explain why he travelled to China on "private business" before resigning as enterprise minister.
Mr Bell, one of his party's 'in-out' ministers, resumed his role in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on Friday. However, he travelled to Beijing before resigning at one minute past midnight on Wednesday.
His party said he made the trip in his capacity as honorary vice president of the Confucius Institute at Ulster University (UU).
The DUP said Mr Bell visited Beijing and later travelled to Hubei Province to visit the institute's partner university. No public money was spent, the party said.
The Confucius Institute works to promote the teaching of Chinese language and culture. It also functions as a focal point for China-related activities across Northern Ireland, aiming to contribute to the forging of business, professional, and cultural connections.
Asked if the Confucius Institute at UU paid for the trip, a university spokeswoman said "no".
"Ulster University did not cover the cost of flights relating to Jonathan Bell's visit to China and only he can clarify details relating to his personal travel plans," she added.
"As with any honorary role with the Confucius Institute it would not be unusual for its funding body Hanban, or for Hubei University, our Confucius Institute's partner university in China, to extend a private invitation and also cover the cost of any associated travel."
The Irish News has so far received no further response from the DUP, Hanban or Hubei University to questions about how the trip was funded or what the visit involved.
