Military expert, Robert Clark picks up one year on from ‘Inadvertently Arming China: The Chinese military complex and its potential exploitation of scientific research’ published in 2021.
Inadvertently Arming China (2021) documented and analysed the extent to which some of the UK’s leading universities, research institutions, academics, scientists and researchers, collaborated with Peoples Republic of China (PRC) entities directly linked to either the Chinese military or to Chinese military-funded and supported universities, for sensitive dual-use technology research.
This latest update uncovers at least 60 Chinese nationals working at UK universities and research institutions, in the last 18 months, who are either employed directly by UK universities as researchers, academics, engineers, and scientists, or are directly cited as either visiting or associated fellows, in a professional capacity. These individuals have all come either directly from one of China’s defence conglomerates, such as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), or from one of the High Risk or Very High Risk People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-linked universities, are still listed at such institutions, or have only recently left.
This follow-up study draws attention to the continued pervasive presence of Chinese military-linked conglomerates and PLA-linked universities in the sponsorship of high-technology research centres in several leading UK universities, and their continued research relationships at both an institutional and intra-personal level.
In many cases, these UK universities continue to unintentionally generate research that is sponsored by and may be of use to China’s military conglomerates, including those with activities in the production of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs), including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as well as hypersonic missiles, in which China is involved in a new arms race and seeks ‘massively destabilising’ weaponry. The geopolitical ramifications of which have serious consequences for British national security.
This publication points to the need for an urgent strategic reassessment by the new British government in Westminster, for new rules for scientific research with PRC universities and companies, some of which should be applied directly to the UK’s research councils and universities, while some may require legislation. Other rules are needed for scientific research in wider potentially sensitive scientific fields generally and in universities in particular.
- ISBN13 9781912581382
- Publish Date 17 October 2022
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Civitas
- Format Paperback
- Pages 180
- Language English