Key Takeaways:
- China is exploiting partnerships with US researchers funded by the Department of Energy to access sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications.
- A congressional report found over 4,300 academic papers published between June 2023 and June of this year involved collaborations between DOE-funded scientists and Chinese researchers, with about half involving Chinese researchers affiliated with China’s military or industrial base.
- The report recommends new policies for the Department of Energy to use when deciding whether to fund work that involves Chinese partnerships, including a standardized approach to assessing national security risks and requirements to share information about research ties with China with other US government agencies.
- The Energy Department has failed to take steps to ensure research it funds doesn’t benefit China, and lawmakers are calling for legislation to prevent research funding from going to collaborations or partnerships with "foreign adversary-controlled" entities that pose a national security risk.
Introduction to the Issue
The United States is facing a significant challenge in protecting its high-tech research from being exploited by China. A recent congressional report has revealed that China is taking advantage of partnerships with US researchers funded by the Department of Energy to gain access to sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications. This has raised concerns about the potential risks of US research being used to benefit China’s military buildup, particularly in the context of the ongoing tech and arms rivalry between the two countries.
The Scope of the Problem
The investigation, conducted by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, identified over 4,300 academic papers published between June 2023 and June of this year that involved collaborations between DOE-funded scientists and Chinese researchers. About half of these papers involved Chinese researchers affiliated with China’s military or industrial base, which is a cause for concern. The report also found that federal funds went to research collaborations with Chinese state-owned laboratories and universities that work directly for China’s military, including some listed in a Pentagon database of Chinese military companies with operations in the US.
The Energy Department’s Role
The Energy Department plays a crucial role in funding advanced research into nuclear energy and the development and disposal of nuclear weaponry, as well as other high-tech fields like quantum computing, materials science, and physics. The department doles out hundreds of millions of dollars each year for research and oversees 17 national laboratories that have led the development of many technologies. However, the report found that the Energy Department has failed to take steps to ensure that the research it funds doesn’t benefit China. The department’s lack of action has left taxpayer-funded research vulnerable to exploitation by China’s defense research and industrial base and state-directed technology transfer activities.
Previous Investigations and Recommendations
This report is not the first to highlight the risks of US research being exploited by China. Previous investigations have found that partnerships between US and Chinese universities over the past decade have allowed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to help Beijing develop critical technology that could strengthen its military. The report’s authors recommend several changes to better protect scientific research in the US, including a new standardized approach to assessing national security risks and requirements that the department share information about research ties with China with other US government agencies.
Legislative Efforts
In response to these concerns, Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, introduced legislation aimed at preventing research funding in science and technology and defense from going to collaborations or partnerships with "foreign adversary-controlled" entities that pose a national security risk. However, the legislation faced opposition from scientists and researchers, who argued that the measures were too broad and could chill collaboration and undermine America’s competitive edge in science and technology. The legislation ultimately failed to advance, but the issue remains a pressing concern for lawmakers and researchers alike.
The Need for Balanced Approach
The report’s findings highlight the need for a balanced approach to addressing the risks of US research being exploited by China. While it is essential to protect national security, it is also important to ensure that the US remains a leader in scientific research and innovation. As a group of over 750 faculty members and senior staffers from American universities argued in an October letter, the US is in a global competition for talent, and "very careful and targeted measures for risk management" are needed to address security concerns without chilling collaboration and undermining America’s competitive edge. Ultimately, finding the right balance between protecting national security and promoting scientific research and innovation will be crucial to addressing the challenges posed by China’s exploitation of US research.
