‘International experiences are vital for our students in this interconnected world,’ President Santa Ono says
The University of Michigan will no longer partner with a Chinese university whose former students face federal charges after they were allegedly caught photographing a military base.
The university’s official statement cited a “recent report” from the U.S. House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, which is led by Michigan Rep. John Moolenaar. He said the university made the “right decision” in a post on X.
The end of the partnership “reflects broader changes in the landscape of international academic cooperation, particularly between U.S. and Chinese institutions,” according to the university.
Left out of its news release is that five former UMich students who came through the Shanghai Jiao Tong University partnership are accused of lying to federal authorities about their hanging out near a military base in Michigan.
The results of these collaborations could one day be turned against our country, and we cannot allow that to happen. American universities should end these types of joint institutes and protect the security of our nation’s research.
— Rep. John Moolenaar (@RepMoolenaar) January 10, 2025
The five students “are accused of misleading investigators about the trip and conspiring to clear their phones of photos, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court,” the Associated Press previously reported about the Aug. 2023 incident.
“The defendants are not in custody,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said. “Should they come into contact with U.S. authorities, they will be arrested and face these charges.”
“We are media,” the students said when “confronted” by a National Guard member, the AP reported at the time.
President Santa Ono praised the benefits of international education in his statement.
“International experiences are vital for our students in this interconnected world,” he said. “We remain committed to supporting U-M’s international students and will continue to foster international partnerships that advance knowledge and cross-cultural understanding and ensure our campus remains a vibrant community where scholars from around the world can thrive.”
The 2024 report from Congressman Moolenar found “alarming” results, as The College Fix previously reported.
The Chinese Communist Party “is driving its military advancements through US taxpayer-funded research and through joint [U.S.-China] institutes,” he told The Fix at the time.
He said Georgia Tech made the right decision to end its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party and urged other schools to do the same.
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