Fears over China’s influence on British universities as report warns dozens of nationals are working on sensitive projects at our colleges
- Dozens from Chinese defence firms researched on campuses in past 18 months
- More than 60 are at firms or universities linked to People’s Liberation Army
- Six Sino-British labs still active despite links with Communist regime ending
- There are fears projects could help China develop a world-class military by 2027
- Report recommends visa ban on nationals who are Communist Party members
Dozens of Chinese nationals are working at UK universities on sensitive projects that could aid Beijing’s plans for military domination, a report warns today.
The Civitas think-tank claims to have identified more than 60 individuals from top Chinese defence firms or universities linked to the People’s Liberation Army who have carried out research on campuses here in the past 18 months.
Six joint Sino-British laboratories are still active despite many UK institutions insisting they have ceased formal collaboration with the Communist regime.
Although most of the projects have civilian uses, it is feared that some could inadvertently help China develop weapons of mass destruction as part of president Xi Jinping’s masterplan to create a world-class military by 2027.
Dozens of Chinese nationals are working at UK universities on sensitive projects that could aid Beijing’s plans for military domination, a report warns today. Pictured: Chinese president Xi Jinping
It is feared that some projects could inadvertently help China develop weapons of mass destruction as part of president Xi Jinping’s masterplan to create a world-class military by 2027. Pictured: Library image showing A Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles group formation
Last night military expert and report author Rob Clark said the research highlights ‘the dangerous extent’ to which China maintains active research collaborations with leading UK universities.
He added: ‘Downing Street must recognise the multi-layered threats which increased cooperation with China [pose] and fundamentally must be prepared to finally address this with actual meaningful policy implementations.’
The report recommends a visa ban on Chinese nationals who are Communist Party members or work for the People’s Liberation Army.
A Government spokesman said that all foreign nationals applying for UK visas are ‘carefully considered’ and subject to security checks.
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