Following inquiries from Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) regarding a Department of Defense grant for advanced weaponry research, Alfred University has announced its decision to discontinue its affiliation with the Confucius Institute. The university will officially close the institute by June 30, 2023.
In a letter to Rep. Gallagher, Robert Fisher, legal counsel for Alfred University, confirmed the closure and emphasized the university's commitment to safeguarding intellectual property and preventing unauthorized technology transfer. While clarifying that Alfred University does not conduct classified research, Fisher highlighted the institution's ongoing collaboration with the Department of Commerce and the FBI to enhance its export control protocols.
Rep. Gallagher's initial inquiry stemmed from concerns about China's use of Confucius Institutes to exert influence within the United States. He expressed his satisfaction with Alfred University's decision, but stressed the need for continued vigilance against other potential avenues for China to access sensitive research and technologies. He vowed to further investigate and ensure that taxpayer funds are not inadvertently supporting research partnerships that could be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
This action aligns with a broader national movement to address concerns surrounding Confucius Institutes. The latest National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a provision that prohibits universities hosting Confucius Institutes from receiving Defense Department grants, effective October 1, 2023. This measure reflects growing concerns about China's alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property, estimated by the FBI to be as high as $600 billion annually, with critics pointing to Confucius Institutes as potentially playing a role in this activity. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has also voiced concerns about China's extensive presence in academic institutions and its potential involvement in espionage activities targeting U.S. research and development.
