Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman Tim Walberg of the House Education and Workforce Committee have urged Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University, and the University of Detroit Mercy to end their partnerships with Chinese universities. These collaborations are said to involve interactions with institutions that support China's military efforts to gain a technological edge over the United States.
Moolenaar and Walberg expressed concerns in letters addressed to each university president. They stated: “The research at your university is funded by the American people and it must be protected. The [People’s Republic of China] systematically exploits the open research environment in the United States--actively engaging in theft, espionage, and other hostile actions against U.S. universities perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).”
They further added: “The university's PRC collaborations jeopardize the integrity of U.S. research, risk the exploitation of sensitive technologies, and undermine taxpayer investments intended to strengthen America's technological and defense capabilities. You must immediately terminate these collaborations to prevent further PRC exploitation of U.S. research capabilities and taxpayer investments.”
This call follows a report released last September detailing risks associated with U.S.-China academic collaborations on emerging technologies. Previously, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, and University of Michigan have ended similar joint institutes.
Eastern Michigan University's ties include partnerships with Beibu Gulf University and Guangxi University. Beibu’s Maritime College has trained personnel under semi-military management supporting CCP's territorial claims in South China Sea areas involving U.S. partners.
Oakland University's partnerships include Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, and Beijing Information Science and Technology University—all involved in advancing national defense technologies for China.
University of Detroit Mercy offers dual-degree programs with Beijing University of Chemical Technology among others, allowing students access to advanced technologies potentially applicable for civilian or military use.
The committees’ letters aim to protect federally funded research from potential misuse by foreign entities through these academic alliances.
