Eye on China as Canada clamps down on funding sensitive research
- Canada targets institutions with ties to foreign governments that could pose a risk to its national security
- Follows report that dozens of Canadian universities had research collaborations with scientists linked to China’s military
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government will stop funding projects affiliated with universities, institutes or labs connected to foreign military, national defence or state security entities.
Tuesday’s announcement seeks to close the loop on so-called sensitive research areas that pose risks to national security, according to a government statement.
The Globe and Mail reported last month that 50 Canadian universities had extensive research collaborations with scientists linked to the Chinese military since 2005.
The projects with China’s National University of Defence Technology included areas such as quantum cryptography, photonics and space science, the newspaper said.
“This new action is one of many significant steps the government of Canada is taking to protect our country, our institutions and our intellectual property,” the government said, adding that guidelines were introduced for due diligence and risks to research security.
In November, Canadian police arrested a former researcher for the Hydro-Quebec electricity company on charges of spying for China, a first in Canada.
Relations between China and Canada have deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly after the arrest by Canada at Washington’s request of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in 2018.
