6 chapters across the catalog
To stymie international criticism, the Hanban is rebranding as the "Ministry of Education Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation." Confucius Institutes are being spun off into a supposedly non-profit "Chinese International Education Foundation." Simultaneously, federal agencies are investigating dozens of researchers at NASA and the NIH for undisclosed participation in China's "Thousand Talents Plan."
Thousand Talents Program, Theft of Petroleum Trade Secrets
The FBI highlighted cases of economic espionage linked to China's "Thousand Talents" recruitment program, including scientist Hong Jintan, who stole $1 billion in trade secrets from an Oklahoma petroleum company. Another case involved the theft of naval technology used in submarines. Wray noted that Chinese state-owned enterprises often patent stolen American technology and then attempt to sell it back to the victimized companies.
Charles Lieber Indictment and Chinese Academic Espionage
Dr. Charles Lieber, the former chair of Harvard University's chemistry department, was indicted for making false statements regarding his involvement with China's Thousand Talents Program. The Department of Justice alleges Lieber received significant undisclosed funding from the Chinese government while also receiving U.S. federal grants. This case is described as the tip of the iceberg in a broader investigation into Chinese academic espionage and foreign influence in American universities.
Mike Pompeo Warns Governors About Chinese Influence
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warns the National Governors Association to be wary of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence at the state and local levels. He references the arrest of Harvard professor Charles Lieber in connection with the "Thousand Talents Program" as evidence of academic infiltration. Pompeo claims the CCP maintains files on U.S. governors to determine who is amenable to Chinese business interests and the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Chinese Espionage in US Universities and Confucius Institutes
Attorney General Bill Barr and Secretary Mike Pompeo have highlighted the "Thousand Talents Plan," a Chinese program used to recruit U.S. scientists for intellectual property theft. The Department of Justice has indicted professors at Harvard and other universities, while many schools are closing "Confucius Institutes" due to their role as CCP propaganda and monitoring hubs.
Department of Justice Indicts Harvard Professor Charles Lieber
The Department of Justice announces the arrest of Harvard Professor Charles Lieber for lying about his involvement in China's Thousand Talents Plan. Lieber allegedly received $50,000 per month from the Wuhan University of Technology to establish a research lab. Additional indictments involve a PLA lieutenant at Boston University and a cancer researcher attempting to smuggle biological vials to China.
