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Lawmakers Urge Eastern Michigan University to End Ties with China

Students at Eastern Michigan University engaging in collaborative research, highlighting the tension between academic partnerships and national security.

News Summary

U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar and Tim Walberg are pressing Eastern Michigan University to reconsider its partnerships with Chinese institutions due to national security concerns. They have specifically targeted collaborations in engineering and cybersecurity, emphasizing the risks associated with taxpayer-funded research and the potential transfer of sensitive knowledge to adversaries. Their letter also highlights similar requests sent to other Michigan universities amid increasing scrutiny over international academic collaborations.

Concerned Lawmakers Call on Eastern Michigan University to Cut Ties with Chinese Institutions

In an escalating situation involving national security, U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar and Tim Walberg are urging Eastern Michigan University (EMU) to reconsider its partnerships with certain Chinese universities. The duo has highlighted specific programs in their letter dated February 18, 2024, indicating that these collaborations may present risks to American interests. The programs under scrutiny include the Joint Engineering Program and the Information Security Joint Program with Beibu Gulf University and Guangxi University respectively.

Concern for Taxpayer-Funded Research

It’s important to note that much of the research at EMU is funded by the taxpayers of the United States. Moolenaar and Walberg stress that these funds must be protected and that collaborations involving sensitive areas such as engineering and cybersecurity should be carefully evaluated. The letter directly addresses EMU President James Smith, calling upon him to take action for the safety of American resources.

The National Security Implications

Both lawmakers hold significant positions in Congress; Moolenaar chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, while Walberg leads the House Education and Workforce Committee. Their concerns have not been limited to EMU; they also sent similar requests to Oakland University and the University of Detroit Mercy, voicing worries over their partnerships with Chinese institutions as well.

Of particular note in their letter is worry about EMU’s GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, which is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency. Given the sensitive nature of cybersecurity, the lawmakers emphasize that sending faculty and resources to China raises the risk of transferring U.S. national security resources to potential adversaries.

Federal Funding and Student Involvement

The letter highlights that approximately 300 students annually are trained in strategic engineering programs in collaboration with Chinese counterparts. This type of exchange, they argue, could have serious implications for U.S. national defense. With Beibu Gulf University reportedly having extensive connections to the Chinese military, the situation becomes even more unsettling for those advocating for a more cautious approach to international partnerships.

Previous University Actions

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such concerns lead to action. The University of Michigan, for example, severed its relationship with Shanghai Jiao Tong University amid similar national security fears. This move came after federal charges against students from that university related to military training activities in Michigan. Other institutions, such as the University of California, Berkeley, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, have also opted to terminate their ties with Chinese universities over security concerns.

Other Universities Under Scrutiny

In the case of Oakland University, lawmakers have been pushing for an end to relations with several Chinese institutions, including Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, and Beijing Information Science and Technology University. University officials have claimed they had not received formal requests regarding these allegations, which could speak volumes about the communication between lawmakers and educational institutions.

Meanwhile, University of Detroit Mercy President Donald Taylor is currently reviewing partnerships with four Chinese institutions, reflecting a growing trend among universities to exercise caution when collaborating internationally.

Conclusion

As the national conversation on security concerns related to international partnerships continues to unfold, EMU and other educational institutions find themselves at the crossroads of academia and national defense. The actions taken in the coming weeks may set a significant precedent for how universities engage with foreign entities, particularly from regions identified as potential threats to U.S. security.