The University of Michigan has decided to sever its partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, following recent concerns over national security. This decision comes after five Chinese students involved in a joint program were charged for suspicious activities near a military site. In a letter to Congressman John Moolenaar, University of Michigan President Santa Ono confirmed that after a thorough review, the university is now in the process of formally ending the partnership with the Chinese university, located in Shanghai.
While the University of Michigan has emphasized its commitment to international academic collaborations, President Ono stressed that the institution takes national security matters seriously. He also mentioned that the university will enhance its vetting procedures for international student visas going forward. This move aligns with growing concerns among U.S. lawmakers about potential risks associated with American institutions collaborating with Chinese universities. Some lawmakers fear that such partnerships could inadvertently assist in advancing China’s technological and military capabilities.
This decision follows a pattern of other American universities distancing themselves from Chinese academic partnerships. Notably, institutions like the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, have also ended their collaborations with Chinese universities in recent years, driven by similar concerns over national security.
The charges against the five Chinese students arose in October 2023 after they were found near Camp Grayling, Michigan, where thousands of people were conducting summer military drills. They were accused of lying about their activities and attempting to cover up their actions. These students are believed to have left the U.S. and have not appeared in court. Congressman Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, had previously urged the University of Michigan to close the joint program, citing concerns over Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s military connections.
This development is part of a broader trend of American universities reevaluating their relationships with Chinese institutions, with previous cases involving Chinese nationals at Michigan raising alarm over potential national security risks.
