China Blasts Congress As Universities Face Scrutiny Over Research Ties

Chinese officials are denouncing a move by U.S. lawmakers to investigate Chinese students studying in American universities, calling it an overreach disguised as national security policy.

Rep. John Moolenaar and members of the House China Committee have launched an inquiry into six universities to determine how many Chinese nationals are involved in research and what kind of access they have to advanced technologies. The panel raised alarms about the risks to U.S. innovation and military competitiveness.

Beijing immediately objected. A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Congress should not be “overstretching the concept of national security” and argued that Chinese students help power the U.S. economy and research output. She warned against treating foreign students as threats.

The schools under review include Carnegie Mellon and the University of Southern California. Lawmakers are asking for a full breakdown of enrollment by country and research involvement by Chinese students. The letter also asked about foreign donations tied to Chinese entities.

The Chinese government has a history of recruiting overseas researchers through well-funded talent programs such as the Chang Jiang Scholars initiative. The FBI has described these operations as a way for Beijing to siphon off U.S. know-how for strategic advantage.

Just months earlier, the University of Michigan cut off a joint program with a Chinese partner after students involved were found in a restricted military zone. That decision followed increased scrutiny of foreign activity near U.S. government sites.

In Congress, momentum is growing behind legislation that would stop Chinese nationals from receiving student visas. Rep. Riley Moore’s bill has drawn support from Republicans but pushback from civil rights advocates who claim it paints students with too broad a brush.

Several academic institutions have said they are reviewing their partnerships and compliance procedures as lawmakers intensify their focus on foreign influence. Some, like Princeton, have voiced continued support for their international student communities.

 

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