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Transcript/ScriptUS China Espionage
HEADLINE: US Faces Tension Between Vetting Foreign Researchers and Need for Innovation
TEASER: Experts say the US is vulnerable to espionage because of reliance on foreign research talent
PUBLISHED: 7/11/2022 at 2PM
BYLINE: Jessica Stone
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Jessica Stone
PRODUCER: Jessica Stone
SCRIPT EDITORS: Beth Hughes, Jepsen, Mia Bush
VIDEO EDITOR: Jessica Stone
CONTRIBUTOR:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, AP, REUTERS, ZOOM
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _x_
TRT: 2:47
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG ))
((INTRO))
[[The directors of British and U.S. intelligence services say businesses should not underestimate Beijing’s commitment to use espionage to steal intellectual property. At issue, balancing the need for foreign-born research talent to maintain an innovative edge over China while protecting national and economic security. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports.]]
((NARRATOR ))
As Washington lawmakers debate ways to give America the edge in the technology race with China…
((Nats))
“Xi Jinping is watching us and hopes that we are unsuccessful..”
…U.S. research universities are on the front lines.
((Mandatory courtesy: Adobe Stock Image))
Studies show more than 3 out of
4 international scholars are conducting scientific research. The U.S. lacks enough homegrown science graduates to do the work.
((Mandatory courtesy: ZOOM))
((Kari Bingen, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense))
“But many of those graduates, those Ph.D.s are leaving the country after they graduate because of immigration issues.”
((NARRATOR))
Kari Bingen is the former deputy under secretary of defense for intelligence and security. She’s one of 18 former U.S. national security officials who signed a letter calling on Congress to lift limits on immigrants with advanced degrees in science and technology.
((Kari Bingen, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense))
“If we’re going to win this technology competition, we need the best brains from within the U.S. and globally.”
((NARRATOR))
But security experts say Beijing actively exploits America’s reliance on foreign talent.
[[Radio intro: Jamil Jaffer, a national security expert, is a former attorney for the Justice Department]]
((Mandatory courtesy: ZOOM))
((Jamil Jaffer, National Security Expert))
“They’ve sent individuals to the U.S. in the form of researchers, students, temporary visitors and, frankly, they’ve co-opted Americans in academic institutions and the like through their Thousand Talents program in an effort to steal American intellectual property.”
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory courtesy: Ohio State University))
58-year-old Ohio State professor Song Guo Zheng admitted he hid his involvement in Chinese talent recruitment efforts so he could use millions in U.S. government grants to develop China’s medical expertise. He’s now serving three years in prison.
FBI Director Christopher Wray issued an urgent warning to businesses on Wednesday in a joint appearance with the chief of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5.
((Christopher Wray, FBI Director))
"The Chinese government is set on stealing your technology, whatever it is that makes your industry tick, and using it to undercut your business and dominate your market.”
((NARRATOR))
Beijing responded the next day.
[[Radio intro: Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry]]
((Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry))
"This intelligence officials remarks fully expose his deep-rooted Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice."
((NARRATOR))
((Nats))
Former Education Department adviser Dan Currell says universities and grant-making entities must develop more safeguards to protect sensitive research. Right now, there's no blueprint for vetting international researchers, he says.
((Mandatory Courtesy: ZOOM))
((Dan Currell, Former Department of Education Adviser))
“There really isn’t a system honestly for reviewing and certainly not for previewing how this happens and what people are involved.”
((NARRATOR))
Experts say developing that system now is critical for America’s future.
[[Radio intro: Again, here’s Kari Bingen, the former deputy undersecretary of defense]]
((Kari Bingen Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense))
“We are in a tech race with China and there is a serious chance of us losing.”
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D.C.
Embargo DateJuly 11, 2022 16:52 EDT
Byline((Jessica Stone, VOA News Washington))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
