Senator David Farnsworth, who chairs the Senate Appropriations and Transportation Committee in Arizona, has called attention to a recent federal report indicating that Chinese military-linked institutions are accessing Pentagon-funded university research in the United States.
According to a U.S. House investigation, more than 1,400 research projects funded by the Department of Defense at American universities have direct connections with Chinese organizations tied to the People’s Liberation Army. These projects include work on hypersonic propulsion, nuclear science, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence—fields identified by defense officials as critical for national security.
The findings highlight concerns about foreign influence within academic research and raise questions about how sensitive U.S. technological advances might be exposed to adversarial military entities. While there is no specific allegation against Arizona universities, Senator Farnsworth stressed that these developments serve as a warning for all higher education institutions in the state.
“Arizona’s universities serve as hubs for innovation; it’s crucial that we help them maintain their independence,” said Senator Farnsworth. “I am truly passionate about education in our state and want to protect our institutions from foreign influence. However, this will require a team effort. I look forward to collaborating with Arizona’s universities and education experts to create thoughtful legislation that ensures a safe and responsible future for our schools. We’ll focus on safeguarding our invaluable research from adversarial governments seeking to exploit our innovations for their own strategic gain. Together, we can foster stronger oversight, boost transparency, and ensure we responsibly manage taxpayer-funded research for the benefit of everyone in Arizona.”
Senator Farnsworth urged the state’s higher education sector to remain vigilant and proactive regarding these issues.
Petersen was elected as a Republican member of the Arizona State Senate in 2023 for District 14, succeeding David Gowan.
