Harvard put China ties over US security, Republican-led probe alleges
Washington, Aug 14
Harvard University prioritised lucrative ties with China over US national security and maintained research relationships with entities linked to Beijing's military and human rights abuses, a Republican-led congressional investigation alleged.
The 53-page report, titled "Compromised Independence: CCP Influence at Harvard University", was released by the House Select Committee on China and the House Education and Workforce Committee.
The committees said they reviewed thousands of pages of Harvard and Chinese government documents, interviewed university personnel and heard testimony from several witnesses.
"The American people expect our nation's leading universities to protect American research and innovation, and never advance the interests of our nation's adversaries. Right now, Harvard is failing to deliver on that expectation," Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar said.
"From allowing violence against anti-China protestors to collaborating with entities linked to the PLA, Harvard has made serious mistakes and must act now to prevent more," he said.
The report alleged that Harvard-affiliated researchers worked with scholars at universities connected to China's defence research and industrial base. It said some of the research involved areas with civilian and military applications, including robotics.
It also said Harvard's Chan School of Public Health organised an executive education programme that may have been attended by members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The Chinese paramilitary organisation has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.
The report acknowledged that the evidence on attendance was unclear. It said the Harvard professor who organised the programme testified that she had not been informed of any requirement to vet participants.
The investigation also focused on Harvard Global, a non-profit affiliate. The committees alleged that it was structured to route funding in cases where the university could not accept a sponsor's conditions for legal or financial reasons.
Harvard removed that description from the affiliate's website after receiving a draft of the report, the committees said.
"Harvard created an entity in a blatant attempt to get around federal foreign funding disclosure laws," Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg said. "That's unacceptable, especially given Harvard's history of failing to comply with these requirements."
The materials released by the committees did not include a new public response from Harvard to the final report.
The report called on Harvard to centralise its research security operations, overhaul its vetting procedures, hire officials with national security and export-control expertise and prohibit collaboration with entities on US restricted or sanctions lists.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The hypocrisy is astonishing! American universities have been accepting money from all over the world for decades - Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, even questionable regimes. But when it's China, suddenly it's a scandal? As someone who studied abroad, I can tell you this is more about the current US-China geopolitical rivalry than genuine concern for academic integrity. 🎓
This is concerning. Having lived and worked in the US, I know how critical research security is, especially with dual-use technologies like robotics. India has similar challenges with foreign influence in our R&D sector. Whether it's the US, China, or anyone else, universities must be careful not to compromise national security for funding. Being transparent is the only way forward.
Meanwhile, the US has no problem selling arms to Pakistan and turning a blind eye to their human rights abuses. This whole thing is a political circus. Harvard should answer for any genuine violations, but let's not pretend this isn't about the broader US-China power struggle. India should focus on strengthening its own institutions rather than getting distracted by these Western dramas. 🇮🇳
I think there's a valid point hidden in all this political noise. Universities globally, including in India, need better oversight of foreign funding. We saw similar concerns in India about foreign funding in educational institutions and NGOs. Research integrity matters, and if Harvard compromised that, they must be held accountable. But let's also question the timing and motivation behind this report - why now, and who benefits? 🤨
As an American, I'm genuinely worried. Our
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.