US bill would lean on Five Eye partners to ban PLA-linked researchers

A new bipartisan bill, presented simultaneously to the US Senate and House of Representatives would, among other things, require ‘the U.S. government to develop a list of scientific and engineering institutions affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The bill would prohibit individuals employed or sponsored by these Chinese military institutions from receiving student or research visas to the United States.’

The bill also states that ‘Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom [members, with the United States, of the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing network, ‘should take [similar measures] to address security concerns posed by researchers and scientists affiliated with, or funded by, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.’

The bill’s sponsors say, ‘Chinese military scientists continue to research advanced dual-use technology in the United States and other western countries. According to some estimates, over the past decade, the People’s Liberation Army has sent more than 2,500 military engineers and scientists to study abroad. At times, these scientists have not disclosed their connection to the Chinese military.’

In a statement drafted to coincide with the publication of the bill, US Senator Ted Cruz said: ‘America must be vigilant in protecting the research, training, expertise, and innovation that the Chinese Communist Party has been stealing and exploiting for military and industrial purposes. I am hopeful my colleagues will move swiftly to pass this bill to safeguard America’s national security.’

See:
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/files/documents/Bills/2019.05.14_PLA%20Visa%20Security%20Act.pdf