A US House of Representatives committee is taking aim at the Department of Defence for funding hundreds of projects with Chinese universities and institutes linked to the country’s defence industry, in the latest sign of Washington’s unease over research ties that could benefit Beijing’s military modernisation.
“Balancing academic freedom and open science with national security interests is important,” the Republicans wrote.
“However, unlike in democratic societies – where the norms of scientific openness are grounded in reciprocal trust, transparency, and research integrity – PRC institutions operate under a state-directed research model that is deeply politicised and subordinate to national strategic objectives, including military and economic priorities,” they continued.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The report said some within the Pentagon argued research should remain open as long as it is “fundamental” – basic or applied research intended for broad scientific dissemination – and “neither controlled nor classified”.
