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The National
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
The Scottish universities accept millions from firms linked to China
Some universities accepted money from companies and institutions with ties to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China, including those which are sanctioned by other countries. Other universities took funding from institutions and tech firms accused of helping the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) spy on and target users, spread misinformation and abuse human rights. The director-general of MI5 last year warned vice-chancellors that China and other states the UK Government views as adversaries are attempting to steal technology from universities that can 'deliver their authoritarian, military and commercial priorities'. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said The Ferret's research suggests that funding from CCP-linked organisations in Scottish higher education is particularly prevalent. This, it claimed 'should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public'. READ MORE: Labour blasted as 'deeply authoritarian' over plans to proscribe Palestine Action However, the Chinese Embassy in London has accused critics and media outlets of 'politicising and stigmatising normal educational exchanges between the two countries'. It has denied the use of subversive tactics abroad and argues that research collaboration with UK universities has 'enhanced mutual understanding'. The Ferret asked Scotland's universities to disclose funding they received from Chinese organisations between 2020/21 and 2024/25. Ten universities collectively received at least £39.7 million of funding. Of that, £5.5m came from organisations allegedly linked to the military, human rights abuses or spying, or was used to fund controversial Confucius Institutes. These are CCP-funded educational and cultural programmes on UK campuses which have been accused of monitoring and censoring UK students, and pushing propaganda. Dundee University refused The Ferret's request while others withheld some information which, they argued, was commercially sensitive. As such, the true total could be higher. Edinburgh University received more than £11m in research funding from unnamed Chinese organisations but it did not provide further detail. The university said it was not feasible to provide a complete list of possible funding from China. Some of Edinburgh Napier University's funding, £1.2m, came from unnamed Chinese partners for transnational education programmes. St Andrews University would only provide funding information for named organisations, rather than any from China. Military links SOME universities accepted money from Chinese organisations with military ties. Strathclyde University received £130,000 in research funding from Wuxi Paike New Materials Technology, which makes metal forgings for the Chinese military. Strathclyde did not specify when it received the money from the firm, which was sanctioned by the US government in December 2020 due to its military links. Strathclyde also accepted £22,100 for 'research studentship/knowledge exchange' from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on an undisclosed date. The academy is designated 'medium risk' by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), due to its alleged weapons research. ASPI is a defence think tank founded by the Australian Government. It has been described as having a hawkish stance on China and has received funding from overseas governments, including the US and UK, as well as the defence industry. In 2020, a drone submarine developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences was found by an Indonesian fisherman in the South China Sea and thought to be on a possible covert mission by military observers. The following year, in October 2021, Robert Gordon University (RGU) was given £46,820 by the academy to research spectral imaging – a method of capturing highly detailed images. An RGU spokesperson said the research collaboration was transferred to the university in 2021 after it appointed a professor from Strathclyde who was working on the project. The collaboration ended in 2023. In April this year, The Times reported that RGU, Aberdeen and Strathclyde universities were among 23 UK institutions to have signed an agreement with Chinese institutions with alleged military links, despite warnings from MI5. Surveillance and spying allegations SOME universities accepted money from tech firms, including those accused of helping the CCP to spy on users, and spread misinformation. Heriot-Watt University received between £150,000 and £200,000 from tech firm Huawei to research wireless communications hardware between November 2020 and November 2021. In July 2020, it was announced that Huawei will be banned from UK infrastructure by the end of 2027 over fears it could facilitate spying from China. In 2019, we reported that universities and Police Scotland refused to sever links with the tech giant despite fears their devices may be used to spy for Beijing. Huawei has previously said it had never been asked by the CCP to spy and 'would categorically refuse to comply'. In 2022/23, Edinburgh University accepted £127,973 from tech firm, Tencent, to fund a research project called 'serving big machine learning models'. Allegations of mass surveillance and human rights abuses by Tencent were reported years earlier. READ MORE: Scottish Government announces £3 million in funding for 14 festivals CCP committees within Tencent ensure that the state's 'political goals are pursued', according to a 2020 study from ASPI. A 2022 report from Human Rights Watch claimed that via its messaging app, WeChat, Tencent 'censors and surveils' users on the CCP's behalf and 'hands over user data to authorities when 'sensitive' information is discovered'. 'There have been numerous reports about people getting harassed, detained, or imprisoned for their private messages on WeChat,' it added. A 2020 study from the University of Toronto found that WeChat also monitored users outwith China. Tencent has rejected claims that the CCP uses WeChat for spying. WeChat reportedly spread Russian propaganda and misinformation surrounding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, while suppressing posts sympathetic to Kyiv, but Tencent declined to comment on the claims. In January, the US added Tencent to a list of businesses it claims work with China's military. Tencent has denied the allegations. Monitoring, restrictions and propaganda SOME organisations funding Scotland's universities have allegedly policed overseas students and restricted their freedoms. Most of these financial contributions were used to fund Confucius Institutes at Scottish universities. Confucius Institutes teach Chinese language and culture, but have been accused of monitoring students, spreading state propaganda, censoring topics – such as the independence of Taiwan – and stifling free speech on campuses. China has rejected the allegations. In 2021, a former Chinese diplomat, who defected to Australia, told The Ferret that China tries to control international students at Scottish universities via student associations. A 2023 report from the UK Parliament's intelligence and security committee said the institutes were run by Hanban, an arm of China's education ministry ultimately controlled by the CCP's propaganda department. Its institutes must obey CCP law, monitor students overseas and influence their behaviour, the report alleged. The last UK government U-turned on a bid to ban the institutes, while top Australian universities closed their institutes in April. Since 2020, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities have accepted more than £5m, including from Hanban, to fund their Confucius Institutes. Edinburgh's institute was partly funded by Fudan University, which reportedly omitted the phrase 'freedom of thought' from its charter in 2019. Aberdeen University accepted £5000 from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) in November 2023 to fund a visiting researcher. Some European universities have paused or ceased co-operation with the CSC, citing threats to academic freedom, research security and the risk of 'industrial espionage'. Universities 'ignoring evidence of risks' LUKE de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international alliance of cross-party politicians, said The Ferret's research was 'shocking, but not surprising'. 'The fact that money is still being allowed to flow without being flagged should be a matter of deep concern for ministers and the wider Scottish public,' he claimed. 'The rest of the UK has been slow to address dependencies which are curtailing academic freedoms and assisting the People's Liberation Army, but this evidence suggests that the problem is even more acute in Scotland and needs urgently to be tackled.' Laura Harth, China in the world director at human rights group Safeguard Defenders, said: 'It remains staggering to see evidence-based institutions consistently ignore the endless amount of evidence on the security, IP theft and foreign interference risks related to co-operation with (CCP) entities. READ MORE: Owen Jones: Opposing Israeli violence is 'extremist'? The world's upside down 'This is the exact opposite of the academic rigour we should expect and an outright denial of their commitment to independent thinking and discovery. 'Universities and other entities that continue to ignore such risks do so at the expense not only of their students and stakeholders, but of our democratic societies as a whole. Such free-riding has to stop.' The Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, Miles Briggs, said there was 'good reason' to be wary of university funding with alleged links to spying, human rights abuses, the military and other issues. 'For too long SNP ministers have been complacent about the overexposure of the university sector in Scotland without investigating where funding has come from,' he claimed. The Ferret contacted the Chinese Embassy which has previously been critical of what it has branded politicised anti-Chinese rhetoric, but we received no response. Universities ensure 'robust due diligence' ABERDEEN University said it has 'robust procedures in place to ensure due diligence around international collaboration', including 'mitigations' for 'higher risk partnerships' such as a team to review security issues, and the use of an official 'trusted research' checklist. A spokesperson added that the university complies with UK regulations including control requirements around the export or transfer in goods, software or technology, including data, information and technical assistance. Heriot-Watt University said global partnerships were 'vital' to advancing its research and teaching, while also benefitting its students, supporting cultural exchange and contributing to the university's financial sustainability. The university complies with UK Government international security guidelines and partnerships are 'rigorously assessed' to ensure 'academic freedom and institutional autonomy,' a spokesperson added. An Edinburgh University spokesperson said all partnerships, 'including donations and research funding, are subject to a rigorous due diligence process'. A Strathclyde University spokesperson said: 'All of our research is subject to risk assessments, ethical approvals and adherence to UK Government guidelines on national security, export control and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.' A spokesperson for RGU said: 'All of RGU's international collaborations are developed with robust due diligence and are aligned with the university's commitment to research excellence.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Universities are autonomous institutions and are expected to understand and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships. 'This includes conducting appropriate due diligence before entering into new partnerships, and monitoring existing partnerships to ensure they comply with relevant legal requirements'. National security is reserved to the UK Government's Home Office, which did not respond to a request to comment. Every organisation in this article was approached for comment, either directly or via the Chinese consulate in Edinburgh and the Chinese embassy in London.
The Hill
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Rising: June 5, 2025
Hopeless Dems spend $20 million to learn obvious reasons they lost young men! Robby Soave | RISING Robby Soave delivers radar on the Democratic Party's $20 million plan to court young male voters, particularly those who are Gen Z. Judge blocks deportation of Boulder terror suspect's family | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss a federal judge's decision to block the deportation of Boulder attack suspect Mohamed Soliman's family. Putin WARNS Trump In Phone Call Russia Will RETALIATE After UKRAINE Strike | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger weigh in on the latest call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kash Patel: CCP-linked researchers arrested for allegedly smuggling 'dangerous' pathogen | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to reports that a Chinese couple was arrested and charged for allegedly smuggling a pathogen into the U.S. Palantir surveillance powers growing under Trump admin?! | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to President Trump tapping Palantir to create a national citizen database. Pro Athlete challenging Joni Ernst after 'we all are going to die' Medicaid comment | RISING Iowa state Rep. J.D. Scholten (D) joins Rising to discuss why he decided to challenge Sen. Joni Ernst in 2026. Biden blasts Trump for ordering investigation into 'autopen,' 'cognitive decline' coverup | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger discuss former President Joe Biden hitting back at President Trump for ordering an investigation into Biden's use of autopen and alleged cognitive decline. Karine Jean-Pierre leaving Democrat Party, says Biden White House was 'broken' | RISING Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to former President Joe Biden's White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre leaving the Democratic Party.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Subnational Diplomacy in California: Economic Cooperation or Security Risk?
Since before Ronald Reagans time as governor, Californians have considered their rich and bountiful home something to be something of a "nation-state." Its a phrase Gov. Gavin Newsom has employed repeatedly - and a description he seems to have taken literally: California has fostered its own diplomatic relationship with China for years. The stated rationale is the need for energy and economic collaboration. But some critics believe that Chinas own motivations are not so high-minded. One such critic, Brigham McCown, a scholar from the Hudson Institute, fears that the relationship will lead to Californians becoming "unwitting instruments in Chinas propaganda efforts." The subnational diplomatic ties between California and China are well established. A 2014 report details Californias longstanding work with China in the energy sector. But they are not without controversy, particularly in recent years. In 2023, Newsom was criticized for "cozying up to" the CCP on his 2023 trip to China, during which he signed five memoranda of understanding (MOUs) regarding climate change. MOUs are nonbinding agreements between a state and a country, and California currently shares 17 with China, a much higher number than it shares with most other countries. For reference, the next comparable numbers are the 12 MOUs California shares with Mexico and the nine it shares with Japan. Besides those countries, Californias MOUs per country hover around the one-to-five range. While it is difficult to obtain the exact numbers, Ryan Scoville, a professor of law at Marquette University, compiled a list of U.S. state commitments with foreign governments, including MOUs, and found that California leads with at least 94 agreements, with Maryland coming in second place with 68. There is evidence for a subversive type of Chinese influence in California as well. The late Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in history and a key figure in Californian politics, made headlines after it was revealed that her driver was a Chinese spy. California Rep. Eric Swalwell was embarrassed by revelations that a Chinese operative had been targeting him and working on his campaign. Meanwhile, several California universities have received scrutiny for being the beneficiaries of large donations from CCP-linked organizations. Most recently, California and the federal government have been embroiled in a lawsuit over President Trumps tariffs. The lawsuit "argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada or create an across-the-board 10% tariff." The California governors official website notes that "Californias economy and workers rely heavily on this trade activity, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China - our top 3 trade partners. Over 40% of California imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California in 2024." Though state leaders are insistent that their diplomatic efforts are for the good of Californians, scholars remain divided over whether such diplomacy is necessary, or if it creates a national security threat. Does Subnational Diplomacy Undermine U.S. Policy? Yuichiro Kakutani, a policy advisor at the China and Indo-Pacific Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, told RCP, "Widespread malign Chinese influence in California presents a concrete national security risk to the United States." Kakutani explained that the CCP is more dangerous to engage with than other countries since it "has proven adept at manipulating state-level officials," and listed several examples, including Chinas efforts to influence California elections and UC Berkleys tech deal that gave the Chinese access to U.S. research. Brigham McCown, a senior fellow and director of the Initiative on American Energy Security at the Hudson Institute, another conservative think tank, offered a similar, though more nuanced, perspective to RCP. "While Californias activities may not directly undermine an administrations agenda in a legal sense, its actions can complicate Americas diplomatic posture, especially when unity is vital to facing strategic challenges," McCown said. McCown explained that not only has China learned how to manipulate politicians, but it also has a long history of discreetly "exploiting internal divisions" among Americans. "Californians should be cautious not to become unwitting instruments in Chinas propaganda efforts," he warned. McCown also touched on the tariff lawsuit, which has been ruled in favor of California, though an appeals court paused the decision, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect. He explained that the case is particularly relevant as it dictates the boundaries of state and federal authority. "These types of cases raise an important constitutional standing issue which is: 'Who has standing to challenge federal decisions in matters of foreign policy?" McCown said. McCown admitted that California may have ground to oppose the tariffs on an economic level, but that it does not have the authority to rise against the federal government on the matter. He explained, "While states may object to the economic consequences of federal action, under our federal system, states must defer to the national government in areas where the Constitution clearly delegates authority - particularly foreign commerce and international relations." The Benefits to California Not every scholar sees a problem. Kal Raustiala, the director of the UCLA Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations and a professor of comparative and international law at UCLA Law School, believes that subnational diplomacy is vital for Californias flourishing. "In our system the federal government takes the lead on foreign affairs. But that doesnt mean that states have no role," Raustiala said. As long as states are not actively contradicting or undermining federal foreign policy, Raustiala adds that the federal government has no real reason to intervene. "As a nation known for liberty and freedom, I think sometimes having multiple voices and opinions is good," he said. "I think other nations around the world understand that we are a big, varied nation with many views on key issues." In addressing the tariff lawsuit, Raustiala stated that California is both protecting its own people and its foreign interests. "California is the most economically dynamic state in the union," he told RCP. "We are big traders, big exporters, and have big, active ports. Trade is important, and California is seeking to ensure that trade continues to bring prosperity - prosperity that allows California to be a major net donor to the federal government year after year." Madelynn McLaughlin is an intern at RealClearPolitics. She graduated from Liberty University in 2025 with a degree in Government: Politics and Policy.
Business Mayor
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Chinese solar tech poses 'chilling' threat to US electric grid, lawmakers warn
The reported discovery of 'rogue communication devices' in Chinese-exported solar inverters spurred new scrutiny of Chinese imports and of the security of the domestic electric grid. In a blue state known for backing solar and other green energy alternatives, a top state Republican warned that 'the time to act is now' to stop incursions by a malign foreign actor. 'The recent discovery of rogue communication devices underscores a chilling reality: our critical infrastructure is vulnerable, and New Jersey's leadership is asleep at the wheel,' said state Sen. Doug Steinhardt, R-Belvidere. Steinhardt, a former chair of the state GOP, said allowing 'hostile foreign governments' to potentially penetrate U.S. energy networks is a national security writ large. TRUMP ENERGY CHIEF RECOUNTS EVOLUTION OF US ENVIRONS OVER 56 EARTH DAYS: A HANDILY-ENERGIZED SOCIETY WORKS In New Jersey's case, three bills – all sponsored by Steinhardt – seek to blunt this new threat, including one banning the state from companies owned by or based out of certain foreign countries. Another bill in the Garden State would somewhat mirror Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' policy against Chinese land ownership near protected facilities. Such policies also grew out of CCP-linked purchases of land in the Sunshine State and across the country, including another controversial 380,000-acre purchase in North Dakota near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. A Reuters report last week discovered solar power inverters were found to have 'rogue communication devices not listed in product documents' within the modules after being 'stripped-down' by technologists. Inverters, of which a majority are imported, connect solar panels and wind installations to electric grids by converting DC power to AC power. While solar tech does typically have firewalls against outside incursion, the findings raised concern, according to Reuters. ENERGY CHIEF ENVISIONS US NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE, RESTORING PIT PRODUCTION, LOCALIZING NUKE POWER 'We cannot afford to let our energy systems, our food supply, or any strategic assets fall into the hands of those who wish us harm – the time to act is now,' Steinhardt said in a statement. Citing national security concerns, a bipartisan pair of senators introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, which would prohibit the government from buying batteries from some foreign sources over similar concerns. 'Our national security should not require reliance on components made by adversaries like China,' Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said in drafting the bill with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. 'This bipartisan legislation will help safeguard both our supply chains and our national security by preventing the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing Chinese batteries for the devices and technology that keep Americans safe.' In comments to Fox News Digital on Monday, Scott called it 'terrifying' the CCP could have any control over the U.S. grid. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 'Communist China is an adversary, led by a ruthless, authoritarian regime that wants to undermine our national security, spy on our citizens, steal our technology, and destroy our economy,' Scott said. 'We cannot allow this regime to have access to the very systems and resources families and businesses depend on. That's why I've introduced legislation to cut off our dependence on Chinese-made batteries that serve as Trojan horses for their surveillance state, and I'm bringing back the Protect American Power Infrastructure Act to slam the door shut on any Chinese influence over our electric grid.' Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Phil Murphy as well as the Energy Department for comment.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
America Is No Longer for Sale to the CCP
Commentary President Donald Trump has launched the most comprehensive effort in modern U.S. history to block the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from accessing American capital, technology, and farmland—and to stop China's military-linked entities from ' The media are fixated on the rising cost of Chinese imports caused by tariffs during the Trump administration's ongoing trade war with China. They're focused on the impact this has on discount retailers such as Walmart and Target, as well as on low-income families, claiming the strategy is backfiring or that the administration's trade war is failing. However, the fact that Chinese imports have become more expensive means the strategy is working. It will force these retailers to source locally or find alternative supply chains if they wish to stay in business. Meanwhile, the national security threat posed by the Chinese regime's trade and investment in U.S. technology and farmland is real, and is finally being addressed by Trump. One reason Americans are feeling the impact so sharply now is that the previous administrations ignored the issue almost entirely, with some in the media even suggesting that the CCP national security threat was a The narrative that communist China's rise is harmless has been echoed and promoted Despite the pain Americans may feel from reduced purchasing power, tariffs remain a strategic instrument of national defense. By raising the cost of Chinese goods, they reduce U.S. dependence on adversarial supply chains, protect key domestic industries, and deny revenue to companies linked to the CCP or its People's Liberation Army (PLA). This economic pressure is part of a broader effort to sever the financial ties that allow Beijing to exploit U.S. markets while funding its military buildup and global influence campaigns. Related Stories 5/1/2025 4/29/2025 But tariffs are only one front in the Trump administration's economic war. Trump also uses the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to block CCP-linked investments in critical technologies and U.S. real estate. Chinese companies with military ties have increasingly targeted U.S. tech companies and farmland, prompting a forceful policy response. In February, Trump issued the The memorandum empowered CFIUS to reject Chinese investment in sensitive sectors such as technology, agriculture, energy, and health care, and called for new legal tools—including sanctions under the U.S. allies have expressed frustration that the Trump administration's investment restrictions apply to their countries and China. However, this policy reflects a necessary precaution. Chinese companies frequently use The CCP's Military-Civil Fusion strategy depends not just on capital but on acquiring knowledge through students, researchers, and joint ventures. American universities have increasingly served as inadvertent conduits for this transfer of talent and funding. For example, the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) A more direct example is the case of Xiaofeng Wang, a cybersecurity professor at Indiana University Bloomington, whose home was raided by the FBI in March amid suspicions of undisclosed affiliations with Chinese institutions. Although he was not charged, the case highlights the heightened scrutiny of Chinese scientists in the United States. In response, the Trump administration has implemented measures to restrict CCP access to U.S. talent and research, particularly in artificial intelligence, through increased export controls, tightened visa policies, and legal tools designed to ensure American innovation does not fuel Beijing's military buildup. These actions have been carried out through a combination of executive orders and legal authorities spanning both of Trump's terms, demonstrating a consistent focus on countering the CCP's infiltration of U.S. markets, research, and institutions. In addition to the America First Investment Policy, the expansion of CFIUS authority, and powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the administration has relied on tools such as Presidential Proclamation 10043, which restricts entry for Chinese researchers tied to military-linked entities, and the Export Control Reform Act, which limits foreign access to sensitive technologies, are key tools in this strategy. These measures are reinforced by ongoing investigations by the Justice Department and FBI under national security laws, many rooted in the China Initiative era. Together, this legal framework reflects the most extensive initiative in modern U.S. history to block CCP access to American capital, assets, and innovation, and to stop China's military-linked entities from gaining a foothold in critical U.S. sectors. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
