A newly released report is urging Canada to immediately end all government-funded research collaborations with China in a variety of different areas. Some areas include advanced digital infrastructure technology, advanced sensing and surveillance, advanced weapons, and space and satellite technology. “The safety and security of Canadians must be the top priority of the Government of Canada,” reads the report, which houses a list of 12 recommendations.
“While international collaboration to advance scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity is important, it does not supersede the need for the government to protect the national security of Canada, and the safety and security of Canadians.” The report says China’s actions through foreign interference and espionage have become “increasingly assertive.” “This is the sensible approach to take,” says Christian Leuprecht, a Royal Military College professor at Queen’s University.
“The risk with China in many areas of research simply cannot be mitigated.” This report was prompted by incidents at Canada’s National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, when in 2019, two Chinese Canadians were escorted out and eventually fired over security breaches. Records tabled in Parliament in February said the scientists, Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, downplayed their collaborations with Chinese government agencies.
Tightening security at the lab and other government entities is recommended in the report. “Chin.