Countering the CCP’s Exploitation of U.S. Academic Research

A livestream of the conversation will begin here at 10:00am ET on Tuesday, July 14.
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For decades, American universities have served as engines of innovation, scientific discovery, and economic growth – institutions now targeted by the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to acquire technology, talent, and research with potential military applications. Through its military-civil fusion strategy, Beijing systematically works to eliminate the distinction between civilian and military research, enabling breakthroughs developed in academic settings to support China’s defense modernization and strategic ambitions.

Congress, federal agencies, and some university leaders have taken important steps in recent years to strengthen research security and improve transparency surrounding foreign funding, talent recruitment programs, and research partnerships. However, significant vulnerabilities remain.

To discuss the evolving research security landscape, please join FDD for a conversation featuring House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN). Moderated by FDD Senior Fellow Craig Singleton, the conversation will examine the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to leverage American universities for strategic gain and potential safeguards in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.

Craig Singleton

Craig Singleton  is senior director of FDD’s China Program and a senior fellow. He previously spent more than a decade serving in a series of sensitive national security roles with the U.S. government, where he primarily focused on East Asia. In that capacity, Craig regularly briefed federal law enforcement, U.S. military personnel, foreign governments, congressional oversight committees, and the White House on a wide range of issues, including China’s overseas military expansion, Chinese malign influence, and North Korea. Craig is a regular contributor to numerus notable news outlets.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN)

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) serves as U.S. senator for Indiana. Banks previously served four terms as U.S. Representative for Indiana’s third Congressional district, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Military Personnel and was a member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. He currently serves on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He served in the Indiana State Senate from 2010-2016 and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) serves as chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. In this role, he leads efforts to stop the CCP’s economic and national security threats, countering the CCP’s malign influence and raising awareness about its threat to Americans. Moolenaar also serves on the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003-2008 and in the Michigan State Senate from 2011-2014.