U.S. Universities Aid China's Military Ambitions through Academic Partnerships

Strategic Insights -

The Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg and Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar have released a report revealing the U.S. universities' involvement in aiding China's military ambitions through joint institutes and academic partnerships. The report highlights the threat of the Chinese Communist Party exploiting the education system to their military advantage, with over 100 risky academic partnerships identified. The lawmakers stress the need for legislation to protect the country from malicious foreign influence, citing partnerships that empower China's military and exploit research paid for by American taxpayers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report identifies over 100 risky academic partnerships between U.S. universities and Chinese entities, with more than 50 posing a direct risk to U.S. national security.
  • Joint Institutes, entities based in China that pair American universities with Chinese institutions, are under the thumb of the CCP and operate under PRC law, with Chinese-majority boards and Party presence in leadership.
  • Chinese government funding dominates joint institutes, and the use of funds is restricted by law to align with CCP goals.
  • Alarming partnerships include three joint degree programs between U.S. universities and China's Seven Sons of National Defense, a partnership in submarine engineering research between University of Houston and Dalian Maritime University, and a dual degree in aircraft power engineering between Shenyang Aerospace University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
  • Protecting America's research security has been a long-term priority for the committees, with a previous investigation, CCP on the Quad, documenting how hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research funding enabled China's advancements in nuclear technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing.
  • Chairman Moolenaar authored the SAFE Research Act, included in the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House on September 10, to stop federal STEM funding from going to universities or researchers that collaborate with China's military and intelligence services.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 risky academic partnerships with Chinese entities identified by the committees.
  • More than 50 partnerships posing a direct risk to U.S. national security.
  • Three joint degree programs between U.S. universities and China's Seven Sons of National Defense.
  • Partnerships in submarine engineering research between University of Houston and Dalian Maritime University.
  • Dual degree in aircraft power engineering between Shenyang Aerospace University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
  • $400 million in federal research funding for DOD, Department of Energy, and National Science Foundation enabling China's advancements.

Sources:

  • Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg press release, "Committee Chairs Release Report Exposing the Dangers of China's University Partnerships"
  • Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar press release, "Chairman Moolenaar Releases Report on CCP-Controlled Universities"
  • National Defense Authorization Act, September 10
  • Committee on Education and Workforce investigation, CCP on the Quad, September 2024