U.S. Targets Chinese Student Espionage Program

The U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has raised concerns over the China Scholarship Council (CSC), a program that funds thousands of Chinese students in American universities. Officials claim the CSC is being used by the Chinese government as a tool for espionage and technology theft, especially in STEM fields. Lawmakers have urged several universities to cut ties with the CSC, citing national security risks and questioning whether the partnerships serve U.S. interests.

Some universities like Dartmouth, Notre Dame, and the University of Tennessee have already ended their collaboration with the CSC, while others like Temple University are reviewing their involvement. The CSC requires students to pledge loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and return to China after graduation, raising concerns about surveillance, ideological pressure, and misuse of research. Experts warn that these students may be pressured to share academic findings with the Chinese government or companies.

Analysts say this issue reflects a broader strategy by China to acquire advanced technology through foreign education systems. Reports show that U.S. federal research funding has unintentionally supported China’s military and industrial development through academic partnerships. Countries like Germany and Sweden have already cut ties with the CSC, and U.S. lawmakers are pushing for similar actions to protect innovation and national security.