All charges against the main representative of the China Initiative Gang Chen have been dropped

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China Initiative

Chen was one of the best-known scientists charged under the China Initiative, a Justice Department program set up under Trump’s administration to deal with economic spying and national security threats from the People’s Republic of China.

Although its purpose has been stated, an research mwa MIT Technology Review found that the policy is more focused on criticizing academics on issues of loyalty – concealing relationships or money from Chinese agencies on aid forms or visas – instead of industrial spies who steal trade secrets. Only 19 of the 77 (25%) cases identified by MIT Technology Review is said to be in violation of the Economic Espionage Act, where 23 cases (30%) are alleged to have paid for money or visa fraud by professionals.

Our report also found that the project has had a profound impact on Chinese cultural scientists. Of the 148 people convicted, 130 (88%) are of Chinese descent.

Chen’s is the eighth case in question of the integrity of an investigation that must be settled before the trial can take place. Last month, Harvard professor Charles Lieber was found guilty in six cases of misrepresentation and tax fraud, while the case of University of Tennessee-Knoxville professor Anming Hu, the first case of integrity before a judge, was settled out of court.

Research Integrity Cases from MIT Technology Review’s China Initiative Database

Interesting story

Chen’s criticism led to the recognition, and criticism, of the program, for its popularity in its field and for seemingly ordinary practices, including its involvement with the Chinese university in its house law, which it was accused of. As a group of MIT faculty he wrote at the time, “We are all Gang Chen,” both expressing their support for each other and their concerns about how their actions could affect the state.

“The end of the criminal case is an exciting one for Professor Chen, and his defense team should be commended for their work,” said Margaret Lewis, a law professor at Seton Hall University who wrote about the China Initiative. “But let us not forget that he was first questioned at the airport two years ago and was tried a year ago. The cost of a person is even higher even if the charges are dropped.”

He added: “I hope that the Department of Justice will soon proceed with the announcement of the reconsideration of the case and finalize the ban on the China Initiative.”

“Changing the name of the ‘China Initiative’ may not be enough,” said Patrick Toomey, attorney general of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ‘s National Security Project, which represented two prominent investigators who had been indicted before the China Initiative was announced. in 2018. “The Department of Justice should change its policies that promote racism in the name of national security.”

But it is not fair students and human rights groups who is speaking. In the past year, there has been widespread criticism of the incident, including 90 members of Congress. asking Attorney General Merrick Garland is also investigating racism, as well as former DOJ officials who are also pushing for change.

John Demers, former head of the Justice Department overseeing the project, he says he favored a request for pardon that would allow investigators to disclose a relationship that was anonymous without fear of prosecution. Meanwhile, in response to reports from MIT Technology Review, Andrew Lelling, US State Representative in Massachusetts accused Chen, argued so that the student-centered program can be closed. Six more cases of integrity-keeping are pending, and four more are expected to be heard later this year.

Other types of announcements may be coming soon: DOJ spokesman Wyn Hornbuckle told MIT Technology Review in an email last week that the Department of Justice “is reviewing our approach to addressing the risks posed by the PRC government” and “waiting to complete the review and provide more information in the coming weeks.”