Trump Administration Considers Restrictions on Chinese Researchers

The proposed limitations stem from fears of intellectual property theft.

Written byDiana Kwon

| 2 min read

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President Donald Trump’s administration is considering a proposal to prohibit Chinese students and scientists from working on sensitive research at US universities, The New York Times reported this week (April 30).

The proposal stems from fears that researchers from China may steal intellectual secrets. According to the Times, US universities are particularly vulnerable to espionage. Defense Department statistics suggest that, in 2014, academic institutions were the target of almost a quarter of the efforts from foreign countries to access sensitive information.

The restrictions may include certain projects with “military or intelligence value,” such as those involving advanced materials or technologies, the Times reports. The restrictions may also place limitations on some of the visas available for Chinese citizens.

Scientists have expressed alarm at this proposal. ...

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Meet the Author

Diana Kwon
Diana is a freelance science journalist who covers the life sciences, health, and academic life. She’s a regular contributor to The Scientist and her work has appeared in several other publications, including Scientific American, Knowable, and Quanta. Diana was a former intern at The Scientist and she holds a master’s degree in neuroscience from McGill University. She’s currently based in Berlin, Germany.
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