Universities have hit back at intensifying concerns about their growing reliance on China, defending their significant enrolments of international students and research collaboration projects with Chinese researchers.

Following tense and sometimes violent confrontations between pro-Hong Kong students and pro-China counter-protesters on university campuses, the sector has faced renewed criticism for its management of increased Chinese Communist Party influence on campus.

Universities have defended their relationships with China. Credit:AAP

Responding to the concerns, senior figures in higher education have highlighted the financial benefits of international education and said they were protecting themselves and students against the risks. They are also working with security agencies to safeguard against risks in collaboration on sensitive research.

Universities Australia chair Deborah Terry, the vice-chancellor of Curtin University, said the growth in international student enrolments had allowed universities to "enhance the very high quality of education for both international and Australian students".