Michigan Republicans demand Duke University sever ties with China’s Wuhan University amid claims the partnership could jeopardize national security and expose American research to foreign intelligence.
At a Glance
- Representatives John Moolenaar and Tim Walberg have written to Duke University urging an end to its partnership with Wuhan University
- The lawmakers describe Wuhan University as an extension of Chinese military and intelligence operations
- The partnership created Duke Kunshan University (DKU), which facilitates student exchanges between the U.S. and China
- DKU’s website features content showing students in military uniforms participating in combat drills
- Representatives warn Duke’s federal funding could be at risk due to these collaborations
National Security Concerns Prompt Congressional Action
Two prominent House Committee Chairmen from Michigan are taking aim at Duke University’s ongoing partnership with Wuhan University in China. Representatives John Moolenaar and Tim Walberg, both Republicans, sent a letter to Duke expressing serious concerns that the academic relationship could provide China with unauthorized access to sensitive American research. Their letter specifically describes Wuhan University as functioning as an extension of Chinese military and intelligence operations, raising red flags about potential exploitation of intellectual property and research data.
The partnership between the institutions led to the establishment of Duke Kunshan University (DKU), which facilitates student exchanges between the United States and China. Of particular concern to the lawmakers is that DKU students gain access to federally funded American research, potentially creating a pipeline for valuable information to benefit China’s military-industrial complex.
The representatives pointed to disturbing evidence on DKU’s own website that features content about People’s Republic of China military training, including photos of students in military uniforms participating in combat drills.
Growing Trend of Severing Chinese Academic Ties
The pressure on Duke University comes as other American educational institutions have already taken steps to distance themselves from Chinese partnerships. The letter notes that both Oakland University and the University of Michigan have terminated relationships with Chinese institutions over similar concerns. This growing trend reflects heightened awareness of the potential risks associated with international academic collaborations, especially those involving countries identified as strategic competitors to the United States.
Academic Freedom Concerns Highlighted
Beyond the national security implications, the representatives’ letter cited troubling incidents involving academic freedom. They referenced a situation where Duke students studying in China reportedly faced pressure from local media to express pro-China sentiments. This raises additional questions about the independence and freedom of expression within such partnership programs. The concern extends beyond just research security to the fundamental values of American higher education being potentially compromised in these arrangements.
The lawmakers’ action occurs against a backdrop of intensified U.S.-China tensions that began escalating during President Trump’s administration and continue to shape international relations today. Academic collaborations have increasingly come under scrutiny as potential vectors for unauthorized technology transfer and influence operations. Representatives Moolenaar and Walberg explicitly warned Duke that its federal funding could be jeopardized if it maintains partnerships with institutions linked to China’s military establishment.
Duke University Responds
Duke University has acknowledged receipt of the congressional letter and issued a statement expressing willingness to educate Congress about its global education mission. While not directly addressing whether it would reconsider the partnership, the university appears to be taking the concerns seriously. The institution now faces the challenging task of balancing its commitment to international academic exchange with growing pressure to safeguard American research integrity and national security interests.
The letter concludes with a direct call for Duke to terminate all collaborations with People’s Republic of China institutions to protect American research integrity and national security. This case represents the continuing tension between the traditionally open nature of academic research and growing concerns about protecting sensitive information in an era of strategic competition. How Duke and other universities respond to such pressures could reshape the landscape of international academic cooperation for years to come.
