The University of Michigan has decided to terminate its longstanding academic collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), a top-ranking institution in Shanghai, citing national security concernsThis decision follows the arrest and subsequent charges against five Chinese students in the joint program, who were accused of engaging in suspicious activities near a sensitive military site in the United States. The university’s president, Santa Ono, announced that a six-month process has begun to officially dissolve the partnership.
Academic collaboration under scrutiny
The joint initiative, established in 2005, enabled the exchange of students between the two universities, with a focus on English-language engineering degree programs. The collaboration provided global learning opportunities to over 1,000 undergraduate students. Despite its academic success, the partnership became a focal point of national security concerns due to allegations of espionage involving Chinese students. This controversy aligns with growing apprehensions in the United States about the potential role of academic institutions in inadvertently aiding China’s military modernization.
National security and legislative pressure
In recent years, US lawmakers have intensified their focus on academic partnerships with Chinese institutions, particularly those with ties to China’s military-civil fusion strategy. In a letter to President Ono, Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, urged the University of Michigan to sever ties with SJTU. Moolenaar highlighted SJTU’s extensive involvement in dual-use research and military-aligned programs, which he argued directly contribute to China’s military and intelligence capabilities. Following the charges against the Chinese students in October 2023, the pressure on the university to act became increasingly pronounced.
The incident that prompted action
The joint program came under scrutiny when five Chinese students were charged with misleading authorities about their activities near Camp Grayling, a military training site in Michigan. The students were confronted in August 2023 after being found near the site late at night during summer military drills. These activities raised suspicions about their intentions, and the students have since left the United States without appearing in court.
A broader trend in US academia
The University of Michigan’s decision reflects a broader trend of American universities re-evaluating their ties to Chinese institutions. Earlier, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, also announced plans to discontinue partnerships with Chinese universities. This movement is driven by growing concerns among US lawmakers that such collaborations could inadvertently aid China’s military ambitions.
Responses and implications on academia
In his statement, President Ono emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security while acknowledging the significant contributions of international academic partnerships to the university’s educational landscape. The provost’s office assured that current students in the joint program would be supported to complete their degrees without disruptions. Congressman Moolenaar commended the university for its decision, calling it a “right step” in addressing security risks.
While many American universities are scaling back partnerships with Chinese institutions, some continue to foster academic exchanges. For instance, Harvard University recently launched a new study-abroad program with Fudan University in Shanghai, focusing on East Asian economics and culture. However, the political climate remains fraught, with states like Florida imposing stricter regulations on educational ties with China, leading to the cancellation of multiple partnerships.
