In further crackdown on China initiative, prosecutors move to dismiss a high-profile case

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A year later, Chen was arrested on suspicion of federal grant fraud and publicly accused of infidelity to the United States — a charge that, as Chen’s defense team noted in its defense, typically targets espionage cases, not grant fraud. attempt Formal approval of the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement. Chen was ultimately charged with three counts of wire fraud, misrepresentation and failure to file a report on a foreign bank account.

But at the heart of the case is whether the nanotechnology experts disclosed contracts, appointments and awards from PRC entities, including a Chinese talent program and more than $19 million in funding from the Chinese government, as well as from the Department of Energy.

The issue became less important when DOE officials confirmed the funding request in 2017, when Chen submitted His application does not stipulate that he must disclose his position in China, but the disclosure will not affect his funding, as the Wall Street Journal first report.

Funding at the heart of the fraud allegations — $25 million — was to support a new MIT collaborative research center at China’s Southern University of Science and Technology, not Chen. “While Professor Chen was MIT’s inaugural faculty director, this was not an individual collaboration; it was a sectoral one, supported by the Institute,” MIT Dean Rafael Reif said in an article. explained in the article letter Went to the MIT community last year.

As one of the most prominent scientists under the initiative, Chen’s case has received widespread attention.MIT faculty and staff wrote a open envelope Support for academics, which also reflects a wider academic focus on the criminalization of standard academic activity. “In many ways, the complaint against Chen Gang is a complaint against all of us and an insult to any citizen who values ​​science and the cause of science,” they wrote.

What’s next?

With Chen’s allegations almost certain to be dismissed, six more research integrity cases are still pending. The four are scheduled to stand trial later this spring.At the same time, a growing number of diverse groups, from scientific societies, civil rights organizations, lawmakers and Even the former officials involved in developing the plan There have been calls to end the program, or at least target academics.

Justice Department spokeswoman Wyn Hornbuckle said the department was “reviewing our approach to the threat posed by the Chinese government.” MIT Technology Review in an email. “We expect to complete our review and provide more information in the coming weeks.” He referred questions about Chen’s case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, on January 4, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy released Update guide Enhanced protection of U.S. research and development from foreign interference, including more details on disclosure requirements for key researchers.

As for Chen, “he looks forward to resolving the criminal matter as quickly as possible,” his attorney, Robert Fischer, told MIT Technology Review.

Additional reporting by Jess Aloe.

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