US Science Labs Face Escalating Espionage Threat, Raising National Security Concerns

[Social Media]

 

American government laboratories are increasingly at risk of foreign espionage, with former Department of Energy (DOE) officials and national security experts warning lawmakers about a growing threat. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, experts highlighted concerns over scientific research being exploited by foreign adversaries, particularly China, to advance military capabilities and technological development.

 

Paul Dabbar, who served as the DOE undersecretary for science under President Trump, testified that researchers operating on behalf of the Chinese government have been stealing intellectual property from US labs. These stolen innovations include key advancements in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and semiconductors. “China puts tremendous pressure in appropriating this innovation and then manufacturing it,” Dabbar stated, emphasizing the scale of theft occurring at the 17 national laboratories overseen by the DOE.

 

Anna Puglisi, a fellow at the Hoover Institution and a former national counterintelligence officer for East Asia, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s a lot of the technologies of the future — it’s AI, it’s biotech.” She also reflected on her decades of experience, noting, “In these 50 years, I have seen dramatic changes in how we interact with countries of concern like China.”

 

Geraldine Richmond, who succeeded Dabbar as undersecretary for science, echoed these concerns, describing the evolving threat landscape. “I have seen them change, I have seen the threats become even stronger, and they are as much a concern to me as they were when I was undersecretary,” she said. Serving on the National Science Board under both Presidents Trump and Biden, Richmond has witnessed firsthand the mounting risks to US leadership in science and technology.

 

One of the most alarming revelations from the hearing involved collaboration between US and Chinese researchers on nuclear weapons work. This comes despite past federal investigations uncovering China’s recruitment strategies, such as the Thousand Talents Program, which sought to repatriate scientific knowledge and innovations from American institutions.

 

Dabbar called these joint nuclear efforts “astounding,” while lawmakers questioned how such collaboration could have been allowed. Further investigations have exposed ties between US and Chinese universities with connections to the People’s Liberation Army, raising concerns over compromised national security.

 

Committee Chairman Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) condemned Beijing’s actions, stating, “Make no mistake. Beijing is actively exploiting weak security protocols, academic collaboration loopholes, and US grant programs to advance its military capabilities — all on American taxpayers’ dime.”

 

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a member of both the energy and intelligence committees, referenced bipartisan legislation that aimed to restrict researchers from China, Russia, and Iran from accessing US laboratories. While the bill passed the intelligence committee unanimously, it was never put to a full vote. Cotton vowed to reintroduce the measure, citing a pressing need for stronger restrictions. “There’s zero reciprocity on this issue,” he noted, referencing the lack of access US scientists have to Chinese research facilities.

 

According to Cotton, approximately 8,000 Chinese and Russian scientists passed through DOE laboratories in the 2024 fiscal year, accounting for roughly 20% of all foreign visitors. Senator James Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his skepticism about China’s openness to American scientists. “I have never met a person who has set foot in a Chinese lab,” he remarked.

 

Based on a report by NYP  2025-02-22

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

Not to worry, the new cabinet heads with NO actual experience or qualifications will learn on the job how to make things safe again.

 

And their hair will look magnificent during television interviews while the stores are being robbed.

[Purdey]

Why are Chinese scientists in American labs? Is it possible they are responsible for many of the innovations discussed in the article? 

 

[The Old Bull]

China is ahead on everything , why would they need American technology?

[nomad22]

Well with all the funding cuts to the DOE all the science labs will close anyway, so no more need to worry about espionage.

[Hervey Bay]

36 minutes ago, The Old Bull said:

China is ahead on everything , why would they need American technology?

So that they know the technology they will be competing with and may be fighting against in the future.

And because they cannot know everything and need US technology to complement their own.

[Sir Dude]

China's MO is anything we can't buy, we will steal through espionage or coersion. Hiring ethnic Chinese scientists is dumb as if they have relatives anywhere in China, then the CCP will just threaten/detain them until the scientist gets onboard and does its bidding. Reseach labs in the West need to be much more wary and security-minded... the Chinese are sly and sneaky.