The University of Michigan is under increasing pressure to sever its Joint Institute with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, as U.S. lawmakers raise alarms over national security risks. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) sent a letter to UM President Santa Ono, urging him to end the partnership over concerns that research from the institute could be advancing China’s military technology.
According to Moolenaar, research at the Joint Institute has supported China’s defense programs, including nuclear weapons and aircraft technology. Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, stated that the partnership “enables Shanghai Jiao Tong to contribute to the PRC’s most sensitive defense programs.” He emphasized that UM should prioritize the protection of federally funded research on its campus.
The Joint Institute reportedly involves researchers from China’s People’s Liberation Army and receives funding from both U.S. taxpayers and China’s 863 Program, which supports military technology projects. The institute also collaborates with CATL, a Chinese technology company linked to the defense industry and alleged forced labor practices in Xinjiang.
In addition to research concerns, UM’s Joint Institute hosts Chinese students who undergo military training and are encouraged to write reflections on their alignment with China’s national goals. Moolenaar called for UM to enhance its screening process for international students studying on campus to safeguard sensitive research.
This letter follows a 2023 incident where five students from the Joint Institute were found allegedly spying on Michigan’s Camp Grayling military facility. Recently, a separate Chinese student at UM was charged with voter fraud, though it is unclear if the student was involved with the Joint Institute.
As UM faces scrutiny over its international partnerships, Moolenaar’s letter reflects growing concerns in Congress over the influence of Chinese institutions on American research and security.
