Seven Sons of National Defence
The Seven Sons of National Defence (Chinese: 国防七子) are technically the seven Chinese national public research universities affiliated with and funded by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China.[1][2] They are widely believed to have close scientific research partnerships and projects with the People’s Liberation Army.[3][4]
Universities
The universities of the Seven Sons of National Defence include:[5]
- Beihang University in Haidian, Beijing
- Beijing Institute of Technology in Haidian, Beijing
- Harbin Engineering University in Harbin, Heilongjiang
- Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, Heilongjiang
- Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Nanjing, Jiangsu
- Nanjing University of Science and Technology in Nanjing, Jiangsu
- Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an, Shaanxi
Overview
Three quarters of university graduates recruited by defense related state-owned enterprises in China come from the Seven Sons.[6] The Seven Sons devote at least half of their research budgets to military products.[7]
According to the Hoover Institution, the Seven Sons "operate as prime pathways for harvesting US research and diverting it to military applications."[8]
The Seven Sons are all supervised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.[9]
In 2020, the United States government banned graduate students from the Seven Sons from entering the United States.[5]
References
- "兰州市科技局 兰州科技动态 兰州市科技局召开与"国防七子"开展院地校企合作座谈会". Lanzhou Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology – Lanzhou Municipal People's Government. Archived from the original on 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- "两电一邮、五院四系、国防七子…这些行业高校大佬,你知道几所?". Sohu News. Archived from the original on 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- Xiu, Ma; Singer, Peter W. "How China Steals US Tech to Catch Up in Underwater Warfare". www.defenseone.com. Defense One. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- Fedasiuk, Ryan; Weinstein, Emily (2021-01-29). "Universities and the Chinese Defense Technology Workforce" (PDF). Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
- Cong, Forest. "US Ban on Chinese Students With Military Links Divides Experts on Impact". www.voanews.com. www.voanews.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- Fedasiuk, Ryan; Weinstein, Emily. "Universities and the Chinese Defense Technology Workforce" (PDF). georgetown.edu. Georgetown. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- de Bruijn, Annebelle. "How TU Delft unintentionally helps the Chinese army". www.delta.tudelft.nl. TU Delft. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- Stoff, Jeffrey; Tiffert, Glenn. "Under the Radar: National Security Risk in US-China Scientific Collaboration" (PDF). www.hoover.org. Hoover Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- Lawson, Kirsten. "Uni links with China creating major security risks: New report". www.canberratimes.com.au. Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.