Ottawa prohibits federal research funding for projects done in collaboration with researchers affiliated with the Chinese military. The federal government requires provinces and universities across Canada to follow similar guidelines.
“If any of the researchers working on the project is affiliated with a university, research institute, or laboratory associated with a military, defense, or national security agency, Grant applications, including implementation, will not be funded. statement By François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, and Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Security.
“This enhanced policy will be implemented rapidly in close consultation with our ministries and agencies, Canada’s national security agencies, and the research community,” the minister said, citing a “constantly evolving threat environment.” , Canada’s “Research Ecosystem”.
The government has indicated that it will issue directives to the Canadian Innovation Foundation and Canada’s Federal Research Grants Council (the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research). increase. Deny funding for Chinese military scientists.
The government also announced the establishment of a Research Security Center to provide direct advice and guidance to research institutions. Ministers wrote to the U15 Group of Canadian Universities and Canadian Research Universities, urging them to follow similar guidelines for all research partnerships, especially in sensitive research areas.
The government will work closely with the university sector to ensure that these measures are effectively implemented and is one of many measures the federal government has planned to protect the country and intellectual property. said.
The announcement follows earlier comments Champagne made to a House of Commons committee on February 2, where the minister vowed to impose additional requirements to strengthen research security in Canada. , said the government must ensure that sensitive research and intellectual property are protected, and said there would be “no compromise” on national security issues.
January 30th, globe and mail reported that 50 Canadian universities are working with Chinese military science institutions to conduct research into high-end and sensitive technologies, including those related to guided missiles and wiretaps.
Between 2005 and 2022, researchers from the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and others produced hundreds of scientific papers with Chinese military scientists at China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT). and announced. China. Top 10 Canadian universities have published 240 joint research papers in the last five years with his NUDT on topics such as quantum cryptography, photonics and space science.
NUDT scientists also have expertise in missile performance and guidance systems, mobile robotics, and automated surveillance.
NUDT said on it web page Originally established in the 1950s as the PLA Military Engineering Academy, it is now under the direct command of China’s Central Military Commission. The agency has received significant investment from the state and the military.
On November 5, 2013, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping visited the school and said: For high-quality new military personnel and independent innovations in national defense technology. ”
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) long warning Regarding foreign espionage conducted through academic research, Canadian academic institutions say China is one of several foreign actors Canada needs to be vigilant about.
Andrew Chen contributed to this report.