Georgia Tech, a leading US engineering school, has terminated its research and educational partnerships with China, citing concerns over China’s military ties and rising national security risks. The decision follows increased scrutiny from US authorities regarding academic exchanges involving Chinese institutions.
As per US media report, The university’s partnerships with Tianjin University and the Shenzhen institute were ended due to concerns over Tianjin University’s ties to China’s military, specifically the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The US Commerce Department had placed Tianjin University on its export restrictions list in 2020 for activities deemed a threat to US national security.
The move reflects growing tensions between the US and China, particularly regarding the role of academic institutions in potentially compromising national security through collaborations with Chinese entities. Georgia Tech’s decision was prompted by a letter from the US House of Representatives’ select committee on China, raising concerns over its collaboration with Tianjin University on advanced semiconductor research.
US authorities are tightening their focus on academic exchanges involving Chinese institutions linked to national security risks. Georgia Tech’s move underscores growing caution in maintaining relationships that could compromise US interests in sensitive technology sectors.
China has criticized Georgia Tech’s decision, calling it part of a broader US “smear campaign” and accusing the US of politicizing academic cooperation. However, China has long blurred the line between civilian and military research, using academic collaborations to bypass export controls and national security laws.
The growing divide between the two nations reflects the US’s increasing wariness of China’s leveraging of academic partnerships for military gains. Georgia Tech’s decision sets a precedent, potentially prompting other US institutions to reconsider partnerships with Chinese entities linked to sensitive research.