(ProsperNews.net) – Federal authorities have launched an investigation into UC Berkeley’s alleged failure to disclose substantial Chinese contributions, raising national security concerns.
At a Glance
- UC Berkeley is under investigation for not reporting Chinese donations linked to important technology.
- The university is required by law to disclose foreign donations of $250,000 or more.
- The Biden administration has faced criticism for weak oversight of foreign funding in universities.
- President Trump’s executive order called for stricter scrutiny of foreign influence in academia.
UC Berkeley’s Alleged Non-Disclosure
Federal investigators are scrutinizing UC Berkeley for allegedly failing to disclose hundreds of millions in Chinese contributions. This potential oversight includes exchanges of critical technological information, which is concerning given the partnerships with Chinese entities. The U.S. Department of Education has mandated Berkeley to provide relevant records within 30 days.
The University of California, Berkeley, is under investigation for allegedly not reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from a Chinese entity and allegedly sharing information about an “important technology,” the Department of Education announced on April 25.
The…
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) April 26, 2025
According to regulations, universities must report foreign contributions exceeding $250,000 every six months. However, an October 2020 report highlighted widespread non-compliance, revealing unreported foreign donations totaling over $6.5 billion. The investigation tracks ongoing federal efforts to address the influence of foreign funds, particularly from China.
Broader Federal Scrutiny
This investigation follows similar probes into other prestigious institutions, including Harvard. Both investigations align with a broader initiative commenced under President Trump’s administration to curtail foreign interventions in American academia. This included executive orders aimed at preventing foreign influence from nations like China and Qatar. During the Trump era, at least 19 probes into universities regarding foreign funds were initiated.
“Over the course of the last two years, UC Berkeley has been cooperating with federal inquiries regarding 117 reporting issues, and will continue to do so.” – UC Berkeley
The examination at UC Berkeley involves the Tsinghua-Berkeley Institute, where funds reportedly exceeded the reporting threshold. Additionally, the probe aims to ensure no U.S. technologies were covertly transferred to Chinese state-linked entities. This reflects heightened caution due to national security implications surrounding technological and intellectual property exchanges.
Government Oversight and Foreign Influence
Despite these initiatives, the Biden-Harris administration has faced criticism for inadequately monitoring Section 117 compliance. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has highlighted that “The Biden-Harris administration turned a blind eye to colleges and universities’ legal obligations by deprioritizing oversight and allowing foreign gifts to pour onto American campuses.” Such lack of oversight has fostered an environment where disguising foreign funds became prevalent.
“The Biden-Harris administration turned a blind eye to colleges and universities’ legal obligations by deprioritizing oversight and allowing foreign gifts to pour onto American campuses.” – Education Secretary Linda McMahon
While no legal prohibitions exist against accepting foreign donations, mandatory disclosure aims to ensure transparency. UC Berkeley claims to openly share research results globally and has committed to continued cooperation with federal authorities. Ongoing oversight is necessary to safeguard national interests and maintain transparency in academic funding.
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