Pentagon limits funding for colleges with CCP outposts.

Republicans ⁣say China could use ⁢Confucius ​Institutes ​to spy‍ on US military research

The ⁢Pentagon Takes Action to Prevent Chinese Spy Outposts in⁢ American Colleges

The Pentagon has⁤ made a significant decision to restrict a ​policy that would have allowed⁢ American colleges​ to receive taxpayer funds while hosting Chinese spy outposts. This decision comes after⁤ a congressional pressure campaign and a report ‌by the Washington Free Beacon ​ that ‌exposed ⁣a ‌funding loophole.

In an Aug. 15 letter, the Defense ⁤Department informed Congress that it has revamped a waiver program that would have enabled American universities to receive taxpayer cash while hosting Confucius Institutes. These institutes are backed by the Chinese Communist Party and⁤ are used by Beijing to exert influence​ and steal intellectual property from American universities.

Congress, citing concerns about the Communist regime using these outposts to spy on sensitive military research, prohibited ​the Pentagon from awarding research projects to any U.S. school that hosts a Confucius Institute. ‍The Justice Department has warned that up ​to ⁣60 top colleges are vulnerable‌ to⁣ CCP espionage operations.⁣ However, the Pentagon introduced a waiver program earlier this year to help schools bypass the federal ban, as reported by​ the Free Beacon.

Following a ‌Republican pressure campaign, the Pentagon ⁢has decided to narrow the waiver program and close⁤ loopholes that‌ would have allowed Confucius Institute employees to‍ access information ⁢about Defense Department research projects. The Pentagon also revealed that no U.S. school ⁣has applied for a waiver ​since implementing these changes, although schools can apply⁤ at a later date.

“At present, the Department has not granted, nor does⁣ the Department expect to grant, any waivers” before​ the federal funding ban takes effect in October, the Pentagon informed ⁤Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.), ‌who has ‍been leading an investigation ⁢into the waiver program.

The Defense Department will also “terminate⁢ any⁤ existing⁢ contracts and grants to‌ any” U.S. institution that hosts a Confucius ⁤Institute after the October deadline, according to the letter. The ⁣Pentagon retains the power to reassess waivers at any time for any reason.

Restrictions have also been placed on Confucius Institute⁢ employees. ⁢They are now required to report all foreign travel for ⁣a school to be eligible for the waiver program.

Confucius Institute employees, including those⁤ who are also ⁣employed by universities, will be prohibited from accessing any information and data related to federal‍ research projects ⁤under the revised​ guidance.

The Pentagon explained in its letter to Banks that it initially⁣ “did not wish to interfere with ​the conduct of federally funded research by precluding [Confucius Institute] employees who are also employed by the‌ host” ‌school. However, it changed this exemption “to avoid ⁤potential​ risk.”

Lawmakers like Banks had been pushing for these reforms, ⁣warning that Confucius Institute ​employees could access sensitive ‍research and share⁤ it with the Communist regime.

In an April letter​ to the Pentagon, Banks accused the department of “bowing to the wishes of academia and the​ scientific community to ⁢continue their deep ties with China, despite the growing threat of CCP propaganda ‍and espionage.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) warned in April that he would “revoke those waivers and hold accountable any officials who issue them” if the Pentagon proceeded with plans⁣ to⁢ allocate federal ⁢funds to any school hosting a Confucius Institute.

These changes also come after congressional Republicans in ⁤both the House and Senate made efforts to cancel the waiver program‌ due‍ to the aforementioned concerns.

Banks, in​ comments⁤ to the​ Free Beacon, praised the Pentagon’s revisions but stated that the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act should include ⁣provisions for an outright ban on⁢ the waiver ⁢program.

“I’m glad that the Biden administration‍ has agreed to close its multiple loopholes ⁢that leave universities vulnerable to Communist Party espionage,” Banks said. “However, regardless of any DOD guidance, the final NDAA must eliminate DOD’s⁢ Confucius ⁢Institute waivers​ entirely. Universities that cozy up to the Chinese Communist⁤ Party shouldn’t be⁣ involved in‌ defense⁤ research, period.”