House Panel to Probe Georgia Tech’s Ties to Chinese University

The House Select Committee on China announced last week it has begun investigating Georgia Institute of Technology’s research collaboration with China’s Tianjin University, which has “significant ties” to China's military and has been on the Commerce Department’s Entity List since 2020 (see 2012180039).

The committee indicated it is particularly concerned by recent news that Georgia Tech and Tianjin University researchers created the world’s first functional graphene semiconductor, which may have applications for quantum computing and could allow China to get around U.S. export controls on advanced chips.

In a May 9 letter to Georgia Tech president Ángel Cabrera, the committee asked the university to provide more information about its relationship with Tianjin University by May 23, including a description of all joint activities. The letter is signed by committee Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., as well as Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.

In a statement, Georgia Tech said it will respond to the committee’s questions “in a timely manner.”