Academics and Researchers in the United Kingdom assert that a Chinese scholarship program is being leveraged by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to steal technology, gather intelligence, and monitor and intimidate critics of the communist regime. The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation organized a panel discussion in the Scottish Parliament, expressing concerns over the influence of Chinese government-sponsored scholarship programs in Scottish universities.
The panel discussions centered on a 2023 report describing funding from the China Scholarship Council as forwarding Chinese “propaganda and statecraft.”
Fiona Quimbre, a defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, emphasizes that the problem of technology transfer with China extends beyond the stereotypical image of hackers in hoodies.
“We tend to think of a student who comes into the lab, steals information, and transfers it,” Quimbre said. “It’s much broader than this. The problem is larger, and the guidance needs to reflect this concretely.”
Robert Clark, the author of the report, revealed that at least 46 U.K. universities received between $151 million-$194 million from Chinese sources between 2017 and 2023.
Up to $30 million of this funding came from sources that were under U.S. sanctions. Clark’s findings suggest that these scholarships are used to plant spies, suppress criticism of the Chinese regime within academic settings, and steal intellectual property.
The U.K. Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee describes British universities as a “rich feeding ground” for China’s efforts. Notably, three U.K. universities received 100% of their Chinese funding from sources tied to military defense agencies or the People’s Liberation Army.
The issue of foreign interference in Scottish academia has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into university funding. Alicia Kearns, member of U.K. Parliament, questions the partnership between Edinburgh University and Chinese missile manufacturer, the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, whose drones have been used in Xinjiang. She highlights the ethical considerations and human rights implications of such collaborations.
Alyssa Fong, a former neuroscience student and staff member at Edinburgh University, shares her experiences of surveillance and pressure from CCP associates during her time in Scotland. Fong said scholarship recipients regularly report to Chinese handlers who continuously monitor dissent at events focusing on sensitive topics like Tibet, Xinjiang, or Hong Kong. In some cases, students are sent back to China to face punishment.
Panel members urge universities to ensure their actions align with “academic freedoms and institutional autonomy.” According to Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, universities have both a moral and legal responsibility to protect academic freedom. Ethical considerations and freedom of speech are woven through the guidance provided by institutions.
However, Clark’s report clarifies that none of the UK Universities, institutes, or funding bodies mentioned are accused of knowingly contributing to the development of China’s military or its military industries.