Q: On October 19, Eastern Time, the U.S. Department of War released the results of its research security audit of some U.S. universities, noting that the universities concerned have fully terminated cooperation with entities on the NDAA Section 1286 list. Among the entities on the list are many Chinese research institutions. What is MOFCOM’s comment on this?

A: We have noted the relevant developments. China consistently opposes the U.S. practice of overstretching the concept of national security, politicizing, weaponizing and instrumentalizing exchanges and cooperation in the field of scientific research, and making unjustified accusations that stigmatize Chinese research institutions. The relevant U.S. practice is in essence coercing U.S. research institutions into “taking sides” and deliberately undermining normal China-U.S. research cooperation. This will only weaken the U.S.’s own scientific and technological progress and innovation and backfire on the U.S. itself. Strengthening scientific cooperation between China and the U.S. serves the common interests of both countries; imposing restrictions or pursuing “decoupling” will hurt not only the U.S. itself but also others.

China urges the U.S. side to respect facts, follow the common patterns of global sci-tech exchanges and cooperation and the prevailing trends of the times, and immediately cease its erroneous practice of imposing discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese research institutions. China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese research institutions. (Released on October 23)