Harvard University is under pressure from notable Republicans to address its collaborations with members of Chinese paramilitary organizations and clarify its ties to researchers connected to Iran.
This week, Rep. John Mourenard from Michigan, the chair of the House Selection Committee on the Communist Party of China, along with Tim Wahlberg, also from Michigan, and Elise Stefanik from New York, sent a letter requesting internal documents and communications from Harvard regarding its partnerships with entities deemed adversarial.
Concerns have escalated due to Harvard’s ongoing training programs involving the New Jiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary group sanctioned by the U.S. for its involvement in human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims.
Furthermore, it’s alleged that Harvard utilized Pentagon funds to collaborate with a Chinese university on research that may have military implications.
Between 2020 and 2024, Harvard scholars reportedly engaged in at least four projects financed by agents linked to the Iranian government, raising potential issues with U.S. sanctions.
Harvard’s China Health Partnership has been noted for hosting healthcare policy training sessions attended by XPCC officials, a detail brought to light by a Chinese state media outlet.
The lawmakers expressed that Harvard’s actions could have breached U.S. laws, further impacting oppressed groups like the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in China.
In response to inquiries, Harvard indicated, “You can check your receipt and respond to the letter of the chair.”
This situation underscores specific instances of research collaboration. For example, one project received funding from DARPA, focusing on zero index materials with Tsinghua University faculty.
Another partnership involved a professor from Z Jiang University in polymer science research, supported by the U.S. Air Force, which has applications in aircraft manufacturing.
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Another initiative regarded shape memory alloys, which are useful in aerospace, researched with professors at Huatu Hong University, also under Air Force funding.
The letter emphasized that “Harvard researchers should not contribute to the military capabilities of potential enemies.”
Lawmaker concerns expanded to include Harvard’s organ transplant research with partners in China, pointing to the increasing scrutiny regarding China’s controversial practices involving forced organ procurement.
Addressing these issues, Mourenar stated, “Harvard trained members of a licensed Chinese paramilitary group responsible for genocide, collaborated with Chinese military universities on DOD-funded research, and worked alongside researchers funded by the Iranian regime.” He added that “these are not isolated cases; they highlight alarming trends threatening U.S. national security. Investigations by the Select Committee aim to uncover the truth and hold Harvard accountable to the American public.”
