University Of California, Berkeley Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Potential Chinese Espionage Threat To U.S.

Written By BlabberBuzz | Monday, 17 July 2023 10:15 PM
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University Of California, Berkeley Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Potential Chinese Espionage Threat To U.S.

The University of California, Berkeley, is facing scrutiny from a House committee focused on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threat to the U.S. over its research collaboration with a Chinese institute that could potentially compromise U.S. military technology secrets.

The House Select Committee on the CCP has raised concerns about Berkeley's extensive partnership with Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, known for its research on technology with both civilian and military applications.

In a letter sent to UC Berkeley's President and chancellor, the committee described several "red flags" regarding the collaboration. The letter highlighted the fact that some Berkeley faculty affiliated with the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute also work on projects involving "dual use" technology intended for military use, raising concerns about Chinese access to their research and expertise.

Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the committee's chair, and Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina signed the letter. The lawmakers pointed to evidence of Berkeley's collaborations with sanctioned Chinese entities, including the National University of Defense Technology, Huawei, and DJI, suggesting that the institution may not have properly disclosed its funding sources.

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Lawmakers also expressed concerns that China could gain access to U.S. defense secrets through faculty members who received funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other U.S. government agencies to work on military technology at the institute.

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While the claim of China gaining access to U.S. defense secrets is supported only by circumstantial evidence, intelligence agencies and experts have long documented China's extensive espionage campaign against the U.S. This includes instances such as a lab apparently supported by the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute winning a contest to develop advanced semiconductor technology that the U.S. government has sought to block from Chinese companies.

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In May, Republican Todd Young of Indiana called for an investigation by the Department of Education into whether Berkeley violated any funding or disclosure laws during the establishment of its $220 million research partnership with Tsinghua.

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The Biden administration has been focused on preventing Chinese military companies and institutions from accessing sensitive or advanced U.S. technology. The committee has requested that Berkeley provide comprehensive information about funding, technology research, current students and alumni associations, and adherence to U.S. export controls by July 27.

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Berkeley has stated that it takes allegations of national security breaches seriously and is reviewing past agreements and actions related to the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute. The institution has committed to fully cooperating with any federal inquiries.

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