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A growing number of Chinese military scientists are using their research collaborations with China's own technology, a new Australian report.
The report, by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), called out of the rule of thumb.
"I just did not see any other universities accept the risk of this. They have not really made that step to distinguish themselves from their interests, "Alex Joske, report author and ASPI researcher, told CNN.
The ASPI is a non-partisan think tank, partly funded by the Australian government. CNN has reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment.
Since 2007, more than 2,500 Chinese scientists with links to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have traveled to the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, among others, according to ASPI research.
"Those scientists work in quantum physics, signal processing, cryptography, navigation technology and autonomous vehicles," the report said.
In a PLA Daily article, these activities are described as "picking flowers in foreign lands to make honey in China."
The Chinese scientists, who came from such institutions as the Navy Submarine Academy and the Rocket Force Engineering University, traveled to Western countries to conduct their studies, undertaking their PhDs or working as visiting scholars.
But during their overseas research, ASPI claims they maintain a strict loyalty to their government and the Chinese Communist Party. "Party education and training can not stop outside the country," the PLA Daily article said.
Universities Australia hit back strongly on suggestions that there are inadequate protections around collaborations between Australian researchers and foreign military scientists.
"Australian universities carefully assessing the needs of the country," said the organization CNN in a statement.
"Australian universities help to advance Australia's national interests through their research and education with students and researchers all around the world. All visa decisions are made by the Australian government. "
University of New South Wales, which was mentioned by the ASPI report, said they were "rigorous assessments as required by the Australian Government's Defense Export Controls framework."
The number of peer-reviewed articles written by overseas scientists and Chinese PLA researchers grew from 112 in 2006, to more than 700 in 2017, according to the ASPI.
Out of those, the vast majority were in the so-called "Five Eyes" countries, a close group of Western nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who share intelligence and other information.
The ASPI report even claims some military scientists from China have "actively used cover" to disguise their PLA affiliations, instead claiming to be of academic institutions which do not exist.
Christopher Ashley Ford, Assistant Secretary at the US Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, said the following:
"We need to understand China's technology strategy, and its military and potential strategic implications," he said.
"If we … continue engagement with the Chinese military-industry complex in its 'state of fusion' with China's civilian sector, this must be done only with due care."
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng said in a public speech on Monday there is a need for closer military-civilian integration in China, according to state media Xinhua.
Joske said, while collaboration between Chinese researchers and their international peers was important.
"The information and the benefits of this collaboration are overwhelmingly to the PLA because they are so important, they are not coming to teach us new skills," he said.
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