US colleges scale back cooperation with Chinese institutions after Pentagon’s push
Virginia Tech is accelerating the closure of a joint undergraduate programme with China’s Xidian University, bringing forward the end of a partnership that it had previously planned to keep running until 2029, according to a university spokesperson and a copy of an official letter reviewed by the South China Morning Post. This decision comes as the Pentagon’s push to tighten oversight of US…
The Pentagon's intensified efforts to regulate research collaborations between US colleges and Chinese institutions have prompted numerous universities to reconsider their partnerships. Virginia Tech recently expedited the closure of its undergraduate program jointly administered with China's Xidian University, a decision that marks the end of a partnership initially planned to continue until 2029.
This rapid shutdown is part of a broader trend, with over 80 institutions terminating research ties with Chinese entities, affecting over 30 US colleges. The Pentagon's mandate, which includes the Section 1286 blacklist of 130 entities deemed potential security risks, has triggered these actions. In response, Virginia Tech implemented mitigation measures, such as research security briefings for faculty members visiting Xidian University.
However, the exact impact on ongoing students remains unclear. The Chinese embassy in Washington declined to comment on the matter. Beijing has consistently challenged the restrictions, asserting that scientific progress necessitates openness and that such limitations harm both American researchers and institutions. The Pentagon's audit process aims to ensure research security, with seven universities commended for their swift compliance.
However, some institutions face further scrutiny, like Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ended a partnership with a recently blacklisted Chinese university at the Pentagon's urging. The audits are expected to continue, with the Pentagon planning to consult Congress and the House Select Committee on China on this issue.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
