Congress claims that US-Chinese research fueled China's military growth
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Over the past decade, partnerships between US and Chinese universities have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. This funding has reportedly aided Beijing in developing critical technologies that could potentially be used for military purposes, according to a report by Republicans in Congress.
The report indicates that the US has inadvertently supported China’s technological development and military modernization through collaboration between American and Chinese researchers in areas such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, and semiconductor technologies.
While American universities do not participate in classified research projects, their work - often among the best in the world - has the potential to be converted into military applications, according to the report.
The investigation cites approximately 8,800 reports involving American researchers who received funding from the US Department of Defense or the intelligence community. These researchers collaborated with Chinese scientists, many of whom were connected to China's defense sector and industrial base.
The House investigation also highlighted what it described as problematic joint institutes between American and Chinese universities, which, according to the report, conceal a complex system of transferring critical American technology and expertise to China.
Additionally, the US government has added 37 Chinese companies to its sanctions list, citing national security concerns. Eleven of these companies were accused of being connected to a spy balloon that flew over the US last year.
Meanwhile, the US and China are discussing potential talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which are planned for the near future.
