US-China University Ties Under Threat as Democratic Senators Silent on Key Bill
A Republican proposal that might significantly restrict collaborations between American and Chinese universities is advancing through the US Congress – and this time, it lacks public support from Democrats.
The bill , this measure would stop US universities from getting financial support from the Department of Homeland Security if they have ties to specific Chinese universities, such as those associated with the national Chinese Academy of Sciences. The legislation progressed through the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday.
Backed by U.S. Representative August Pfluger from Texas, the legislation was endorsed by the committee through a vocal vote. To move forward, it must gain approval from both the entirely Republican-led House and Senate prior to being submitted to the President of the United States. Donald Trump for signing into law.
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Nationals security specialists and police authorities have repeatedly sounded the alarm about the [ Chinese Communist Party 's growing subversive operations within our nation via entities such as Confucius Institutes and their associated organizations,' Pfluger stated on Wednesday.
My bill "will serve a crucial function in safeguarding our students, intellectual property, and other aspects of national security," he further stated.
Pfluger's proposal arrives as various congressional initiatives aim to sever U.S.-China educational collaboration over national security worries.
Last month, Republican Congressman John Moolenaar from Michigan, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sent letters To Stanford and five additional universities seeking details about their regulations concerning Chinese nationals.
So far, numerous leading U.S. research institutions such as the University of Michigan and Georgia Tech have announced plans To terminate collaborations with Chinese organizations because of pressure from legislators.
Pfluger's legislation bans collaboration with a wide range of Chinese educational institutions, specifically those involved with the Chinese defense industry or offering assistance to security, defense, police, or intelligence organizations within China.
The blacklist also includes Chinese universities that are deemed to "deliberately weaken" the United States' relations. Taiwan as well as those associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is the nation's premier institution for natural sciences.
In contrast to a previous draft, this updated version introduces a waiver process enabling the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to grant exceptions for American schools that demonstrate "strong monitoring measures and enforcement procedures regarding their connection" with the Chinese partner institution.
The waiver can be applied for if the connection either serves America’s national security interests or does not present a national security threat to the United States or its allies.
After a waiver is approved, the Homeland Security secretary must inform Congress and supply an explanation for the decision.
A version of Pfluger's bill excluding the waiver was approved by the entire House of Representatives In September, but it failed to become law before the congressional session ended in January.
At that point, Democrats strongly opposed it, claiming it could discourage research activities at American universities and impact U.S.-China collaborations not related to national security.
US Representative Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, serving as the Democratic ranking member of the homeland security committee, characterized the bill as "inhumane" during the voting session on the House floor in September.
On Wednesday, Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from Rhode Island who serves on the homeland security committee, stated that the inclusion of the waiver was essential for him to decide in favor of supporting the legislation this time around.
Magaziner was among 161 Democrats who voted against it on the floor last year.
"The previous year's edition included a wide-ranging definition of Chinese entities of concern, which would have effectively barred all cooperation between American and Chinese universities," he clarified.
"Due to some sincere negotiations... this year’s version allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant waivers," he mentioned additionally.
However, Pfluger, who sponsored the bill primarily, stated on Wednesday that he was against the waiver and did not think it would be utilized.
"Although a waiver clause is present in comparable Department of Defense laws, this particular waiver has never been utilized previously," he stated.
Pfluger further stated, 'I believe this bill can keep moving ahead without losing any of its power.'
Analysts mentioned that the bill might act as a significant hindrance to joint projects.
Denis Simon from the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies stated, "Nearly every prominent R1 university in the United States receives funding through projects supported by the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy."
Washington's portrayal of U.S.-China educational collaborations as a menace is gaining traction in Beijing.
On Wednesday earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Education released a travel advisory for studying abroad Counseling students to be cautious about studying in the U.S., due to a proposed Ohio law that limits Sino-American educational partnerships.
Last month, Republican members of both the US House and Senate proposed a bill that would ban all Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas.
The proposal seemed to gather steam on Wednesday when Donald Trump Jr., tweeted “great idea” in reaction to it. social media a post suggesting that all Chinese student visas should be canceled and all supposed spies be deported.
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