Republican-Backed Bill Could Add Barriers to US-China Research Cooperation
Senate Republicans reintroduced a bill last week that could place more restrictions on scientific or research collaboration between U.S. and Chinese entities. The Preventing PLA Acquisition of United States Technology Act, which was first introduced in the Senate May a year ago and also will soon be introduced in the House, would block certain U.S. “covered” entities from working with any Chinese “entity of concern” in “any scientific research or technical exchange” relating to the development of technologies that China is prioritizing as part of its military-civil fusion strategy, the lawmakers said in a news release. The bill, which refers to the People’s Liberation Army, also would prevent partnerships between Chinese “entities of concern" and private American companies that receive federal funding.
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The bill defines Chinese "entities of concern" as any university in China the Defense Department determines to be involved in the country’s military-civil fusion strategy, any state-owned Chinese companies and any private Chinese company that has ties to China’s military. It defines a U.S. “covered entity” as any federal agencies, universities or private companies that receive U.S. federal funding.
The U.S. “must target and impose barriers to commercial cooperation with Chinese entities of concern,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who reintroduced the bill with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Mike Braun, R-Ind.; and Rick Scott, R-Fla. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., plans to introduce companion legislation in the House, calling the bill a “commonsense measure that protects America’s interest, resources, and servicemembers.”