Report

Inadvertently arming China? One year on

This report from UK think tank Civitas looks at the Chinese military complex and its exploitation of scientific research at UK universities.

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.