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Universities should capitalise on research arms race between US and China: Sinodinos
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Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, Arthur Sinodinos, says a scientific arms race between America and China has created a boom in opportunities for universities to collaborate on defence and sensitive technologies research with our foremost ally.
Mr Sinodinos said the Biden administration was seeking out closer research collaboration with its allies and intelligence partners and was watching closely how Australia managed foreign interference risks inside universities.
Ambassador of Australia to the United States Arthur Sinodinos has urged universities to capitalise on the research arms races between America and China.
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The Australian government wants more students to acquire skills in foreign languages, particularly Mandarin. Yet, Australiaâs Foreign Relations Act â the law Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne relied on to cancel Victoriaâs memorandum of understanding with the Peopleâs Republic of China (PRC) on the Belt and Road Initiative â is about to make that a lot harder.
The act allows the Foreign Affairs Minister to invalidate foreign arrangements on the grounds they are inconsistent with Australiaâs foreign policy. The minister is given free rein to decide what that is. As well as state governments, the law also applies to universities. It applies retrospectively and there is no appeal or review process.
The move comes amid increasing pressure from government on foreign interference in universities.
April 20, 2021
The University of Sydney has engaged “China expert” John Garnaut, through consultancy firm McGrath Nicol, “as part of a range of initiatives…to manage the risks of foreign interference.”
Garnaut is a former
Sydney Morning Herald China correspondent and aide to former PM Malcolm Turnbull. A University spokesperson described Garnaut as “a respected China expert with a deep understanding of Chinese institutions.” An article written by Garnaut in 2015 was the subject of a successful defamation claim by businessman Chau Chak Wing. In 2015, Chau Chak Wing donated $15 million to the University to fund the construction of the Chau Chak Wing museum.
Australian government overturns university research grants as part of anti-China campaign wsws.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wsws.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.