Chinese spying fears revived by universities security probe

An inquiry into national security risks facing Australia’s universities has revived fears of Chinese interference and espionage, as well as concerns of an overreaction by Canberra that could impact research and collaboration across borders, writes John Power for the South China Morning Post.

Australia’s Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has been receiving submissions from security agencies, universities, academics and other stakeholders as part of an ongoing probe into foreign interference in higher education.

The inquiry, which is due to report its findings in July, has highlighted tensions between national security considerations and academic freedom within Australia’s tertiary education sector, which relies heavily on exchanges with China. In its submission to the inquiry, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation said it was aware of cyber-attacks aimed at acquiring intellectual property and of academics being threatened and intimidated by actors looking to pass on their sensitive research to a foreign country.
Full report on the South China Morning Post site