Report accuses China of using American nuclear research for weapons

A recent congressional report reveals that China has exploited partnerships with U.S. researchers funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to access sensitive nuclear technology and advanced innovations, potentially enhancing its military and economic power. Investigators examined over 4,300 DOE-funded academic papers published between June 2023 and June 2025, finding that about half involved Chinese collaborators linked to the country’s military or defense industry, including state-owned labs and universities listed in a Pentagon database of Chinese military companies. Some partners were also associated with cyberattacks and human rights abuses. The report criticizes decades of DOE inaction and calls for stricter national security assessments and improved interagency information sharing to prevent taxpayer-funded research from aiding China’s defense efforts. In response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the report as politically motivated, accusing U.S. politicians of obstructing normal scientific exchanges under the guise of national security. The DOE stated it would review the findings and maintain rigorous oversight of federally funded research. However, proposals