Georgia Tech Cuts Ties with Chinese Universities Over National Security Concerns

Georgia Tech announced the termination of its research and educational partnerships in Tianjin and Shenzhen, following congressional scrutiny over collaborations with entities linked to China’s military. The decision comes after Tianjin University’s continued presence on the U.S. Entity List and concerns over semiconductor research that could aid China's military.

Georgia Tech has officially ended its research and educational partnerships in Tianjin and Shenzhen, China, the university revealed on Friday. This move comes after U.S. Congress scrutinized collaboration with entities allegedly connected to China's military.

In May, the House of Representatives' select committee on China raised questions about Georgia Tech's research ties with Tianjin University, particularly in advanced semiconductor technologies. The U.S. Commerce Department added Tianjin University to its export restrictions list in 2020, citing actions against U.S. national security.

Abbigail Tumpey, a spokesperson for Georgia Tech, mentioned that the university had been reassessing its stance in China since the addition of Tianjin University to the Entity List. She confirmed that ongoing collaboration was no longer feasible under the current conditions. Despite the severed ties, the institution assured that nearly 300 students in Shenzhen would be able to complete their degrees.

Georgia Tech, a leading U.S. engineering institution with substantial Defense Department funding, had lauded its breakthrough in creating a functional semiconductor from graphene in January, involving collaboration with Tianjin researchers. The U.S. and China both regard semiconductors as vital with both civilian and military applications, heightening the stakes of the issue.

Virginia Foxx, head of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, acknowledged that congressional intervention should not have been necessary to prompt Georgia Tech's decision. Meanwhile, U.S. agencies have been tightening inspections of Chinese technological and academic influence on American soil.

(With inputs from agencies.)