Harvard, MIT among 30 US universities ordered to audit China research ties

Higher education group says Pentagon implied wrongdoing without presenting evidence, as House China committee calls for ‘real consequences’

An American official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, confirmed that Harvard, MIT and Johns Hopkins had received notifications.

The Pentagon had not responded to repeated email and telephone requests from the South China Morning Post seeking the names of the universities, the collaborations that prompted the audits and evidence of any unauthorised technology transfer or misconduct.

The universities have until August 31 to conduct comprehensive reviews of their academic, financial and research relationships with foreign “entities of concern”, assess whether sensitive or export-controlled research was exposed, and adopt mitigation measures that could include terminating partnerships.