US Universities Aid China's Military Ambitions through Joint Institutes and Academic Partnerships

US universities continue to contribute to China's military ambitions by collaborating with Chinese institutions through joint research programs and academic partnerships, reveals a new report released by the House Committee on Education & the Workforce. The report sheds light on the alarming details of these collaborations, which empower China's military and exploit research paid for by American taxpayers. The committees' investigation has identified over a hundred additional risky academic partnerships with Chinese entities and conducted a deep dive on more than fifty that pose a direct risk to US national security.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 100 US universities have established joint research programs with Chinese entities, including institutions controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
• These joint institutes are operated under PRC law and are aligned with the CCP's national strategy, including its military buildup.
• Chinese government funding dominates these joint institutes, and the use of funds is restricted by law to align with CCP goals.
• The committees have identified three joint degree programs between US universities and China's Seven Sons of National Defense, which are universities hand-picked by the CCP to propel China's military and defense-research forward.
• Partnerships between US universities and Chinese entities pose a direct risk to US national security, including a partnership in submarine engineering research between the University of Houston and Dalian Maritime University.
• The SAFE Research Act has been introduced to stop federal STEM funding from going to universities or researchers that collaborate with China's military and intelligence services.

Statistics:

• Over 100 US universities have established joint research programs with Chinese entities.
• More than 50 US universities are collaborating with Chinese entities that pose a direct risk to US national security.
• Chinese government funding dominates joint institutes, accounting for over 90% of funding.
• The CCP has hand-picked seven Chinese universities to propel China's military and defense-research forward.

Sources:

• House Committee on Education and Workforce: "Investigation: CCP on the Quad" (not dated)
• House Committee on Education and Workforce: "New Report Exposes Alarming Details of Chinese Academic Partnerships" (not dated)
• Chairman John Moolenaar and Chairman Tim Walberg: Statement on the SAFE Research Act (2024)
• National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House (September 10, 2024)