US lawmakers have raised alarms about potential exploitation by China of American universities for access to sensitive research and technology. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee conducted a hearing focusing on billions of dollars in foreign funding and academic partnerships involving US campuses. Committee chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy highlighted the risks of intellectual property theft, technology transfer, and undisclosed foreign funding associated with China’s research ties with US universities.
Cassidy emphasized the strategic importance of American universities but also pointed out the vulnerabilities that their openness can create. He noted that while the US boasts top universities responsible for significant advancements in various fields like cancer research, artificial intelligence, and military technology, the influx of foreign funding, amounting to $9.7 billion reported last year, has raised national security concerns. Cassidy stressed the need for enhanced transparency requirements for foreign gifts and contracts involving universities.
Experts at the hearing underscored that US universities are vital to America’s innovation system, making them attractive targets for foreign adversaries, particularly China. Craig Singleton from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies highlighted that China has contributed approximately $6.8 billion in gifts and contracts to American universities over time. He also pointed out transactions involving entities on US government watch lists or restricted lists, including those linked to export control violations and China’s military civil fusion program.
Peter Wood, president of the National Association of Scholars, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding foreign donations to universities and the potential influence they may bring. He questioned the origins and purposes of large foreign contributions, citing examples like billions of dollars from Qatar to American universities. Wood also raised issues regarding China’s use of Confucius Institutes on American campuses to expand its influence, describing them as tools of the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda agency.
While acknowledging legitimate concerns about foreign influence, Robert Daley from the Asia Society cautioned against overstating the threat. Daley emphasized the importance of addressing security risks while maintaining the openness that defines American universities as global leaders in science and innovation. He noted that despite worries about Chinese influence, there have been no espionage convictions involving university personnel related to China.
Lawmakers highlighted the need to safeguard sensitive research while upholding the openness that has positioned American universities as pioneers in science and innovation globally. The hearing also explored suggestions to bolster disclosure requirements for foreign gifts and contracts under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, aiming to enhance transparency and oversight without impeding international academic collaboration.
