Key facts
- US research funding restrictions target dozens of Chinese universities.
- The US Department of Defense is barred from providing research funding to entities working with listed Chinese universities.
- Chinese institutions named focus on semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing.
China's Commerce Ministry on Friday urged the United States to "respect the facts" and immediately end what it called discriminatory measures against Chinese research institutions. The ministry stated that strengthening Chinese-US scientific research cooperation serves the common interest of both sides. The comments were made in relation to the US Department of Defense placing restrictions on US research funding for dozens of Chinese universities. A Republican lawmaker had earlier called on the department to add 58 more Chinese schools and 62 Chinese technology labs to a specific list. Several of these institutions focus on semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing. The Commerce Ministry said the US actions are "essentially coercing US research institutions to take sides, deliberately undermining normal China-US scientific research cooperation," adding that this "will only weaken the US's own scientific and technological progress."