Government Report Urges Protection of Academia Against Chinese Technology Theft for Military Upgrades
MPs are urging the government to take action against China’s attempts to target Canadian innovation and interfere with universities in order to advance its military and technological capabilities.
During a committee meeting on June 20, 2023, Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, expressed concerns about the use of public resources to benefit authoritarian states.
Ivana Karaskova, from the Association for International Affairs (AMO), informed the committee on Oct. 4, 2023, about China’s strategic use of foreign technologies to enhance its own industrial and research capabilities.
China aims to dominate key sectors by substituting foreign technology with its own indigenous developments, particularly in dual-use technologies for military purposes.
China’s Strategies
China employs a comprehensive approach to technology development, blurring distinctions between public and private sectors, civilian and military technologies.
Anna Puglisi highlighted China’s military and civilian fusion strategy in her submission to the committee, emphasizing the cross-pollination of technology and foreign outreach initiatives.
China’s mobilization of all stakeholders involves seeking information to serve the interests of the Chinese Communist Party, as outlined by David Vigneault, the director of CSIS.
Experts mentioned China’s use of concealment strategies to hide activities that pose security threats to Canada.
Since 1978, Beijing has focused on exploiting overseas technology and talent to enhance its technological capabilities.
Recommendations
The report suggests measures to counter China’s technology acquisition efforts and safeguard Canadian universities, including ensuring adequate research funding and enhancing transparency in partnerships.
Furthermore, the report recommends enforcing compliance with security guidelines for research partnerships and reviewing funding for security adherence in smaller institutions.
The report also calls for including foreign state-owned enterprises in the list of Named Research Organizations to prevent federal funding collaboration with entities linked to Chinese military institutions.
Enhancing governmental working groups and policy implementation reporting are also recommended in the report.
