Huawei Secretly Funded US Scientific Research
Following revelations, it has emerged that Chinese technology company Huawei secretly furnished US-based Optica Foundation with millions of dollars to fund scientific research. According to a report from Bloomberg, Optica Foundation allocated these funds as grants without disclosing Huawei’s involvement. Several US lawmakers have criticized the move, accusing Huawei of advancing its interests through controlled funds to circumvent sanctions.
Congressional Outrage and Response
The revelation sparked outrage in the US Congress. The heads of the House Science Committee have urged Optica Foundation’s administration to disclose details about Huawei’s sponsorship. They express that the concealment of funding sources poses a risk to national security and might violate sanctions laws concerning Chinese companies.
Initial Response from Huawei and Optica Foundation
Neither Huawei nor the Optica Foundation have so far commented on the situation. However, they have previously stated that the funding intent was to support academic research and not to serve the company’s interests. Regardless, US authorities fear these funds could be exploited by China to access American technology and intellectual property under the guise of scientific collaboration. Concerns are growing that this might be a deliberate attempt by Huawei to evade sanctions and build influence in the US via controlled funds.
Possible Consequences and Implications
This incident potentially strains already tense Sino-American relations and might lead to stricter rules concerning offshore funding for American scientific research, according to experts. Furthermore, the scandal throws a shadow of doubt over the transparency and reputation of Optica Foundation, which appears to have been unwittingly drawn into political games.
