WASHINGTON – A new report released by congressional Republicans has raised concerns about partnerships between universities in the United States and China. Over the past decade, these collaborations have enabled Beijing to benefit from hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, with some of the technology developed potentially having military applications.

The report highlighted how research collaboration in areas such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology, and semiconductor technology has contributed to China’s technological advancement and military modernization. This has led to calls for stronger safeguards and enforcement to protect national security.

Lawmakers have been focusing on the role of higher education in the economic rivalry with China, particularly in the technology sector. The recent approval of several China-related bills by the U.S. House of Representatives signals a clear intention to compete with Beijing in various tech fields and address potential risks.

While collaborations between U.S. and Chinese scholars have declined in recent years, concerns persist about the transfer of critical U.S. technologies and expertise to China. The report identified joint institutes and partnerships that were flagged for potential technology transfers.

As a result, universities like Georgia Tech and UC Berkeley have announced plans to discontinue their involvement in joint programs with Chinese institutions. This move underscores the increasing scrutiny and concerns around research security and intellectual property theft.

The debate around U.S.-China university collaborations continues to evolve, reflecting the complex dynamics of international research partnerships and the broader geopolitical landscape.