Brussels weighs banning China from major EU research scheme

The European Commission is preparing to block Chinese institutions from significant portions of its €95.5 billion ($110 billion) Horizon Europe research program, citing intellectual property risks and links between Chinese universities and Beijing's military. A draft document for the Horizon Europe "main" work program for 2026 …

[Tron]

Amusing.

quote: links between Chinese universities and Beijing's military

The UK government supplies about $6bn towards UK uni research, funds tuition by proxy and manipulates UK university intakes/courses via policies, funding council decisions and cuts.

quote: Horizon Europe's mandate that research must have exclusively civil applications.

Almost all technologies can be used for both civil and military purposes.

quote: European Union's technological edge and strategic autonomy.

They are almost entirely dependent on the US in multiple sectors and have just been ordered by Trump to spend more on US weapons, at the expense of domestic spending. Not much edge, and not much autonomy there.

quote: satellite technology and robotics.

China may actually be ahead of the EU in these two sectors. It would have been a good opportunity to pinch some Chinese IP and some talent. The UK has just shot itself in the foot on that score too.

quote: "uncontroversial" areas: health, climate

They are a teensy bit controversial in Trumpica, as he may eventually rename it.

quote: Chinese espionage

Everyone spies on everyone else. It is childish to pretend they do not.

As for state manipulation of the private sector - Washington now owns 10% of Intel and expects CEOs to report to Trump, grovel, and do the Orange Emperor's bidding. Musk was actually working for the USG. Plus those America first demands on chip use and access. Trump has US unis, industry and the US media on a leash, extracting cash if they do not behave. He is actually out-China-ing China.

The EU can block and exclude China, but they dare not do that with Trump, who is a much bigger problem. The Chinese have not been going out of their way to boost extreme right wing populists in Europe or threatening to molest Greenland. China's main focus is Asia.

[Chinamissing]

Re: Amusing.

The use of equivalency here is depressing. Yup the USA under Trump is no longer the beacon it was but they share a general outlook on life with the UK and the EU that is significantly similar and in a few years an election will happen and change can occur. China is not the same. The 'Great Wall', the work camps, the wholesale theft of IP, the oppression of Tibet, theft of waters off the Philippines and Vietnam and the suchlike are all clear and present dangers to the UK and the West in general. If you look at where refugees tend to run to, it is most definitely not the PRC but then again all you need to do is try and find out about Tiananmen square and see who comes to your door or even if you can within the PRC.

[TLHH]

Re: Amusing.

China is not an enemy. China only reacts when pushed. Check who started this and you will find the invisible hand of the United States

[Charlie Clark]

Re: Amusing.

I'm less worried about the dual-use stuff and IP protection than I am about China's tendency to apply pressure on foreign universities and unwillingness to engage constructively in international projects. They are doing some great research and most of the scientists jump at the chance to work with others, but then political pressure is applied because, for the Chinese Communist Party at least, the sharing of ideas is dangerous in itself.

[Wang Cores]

Re: Amusing.

You've got to remember that Europe doesn't want to be an adult, an independent power.

Much like American redhats, European politicians are not in the game to guarantee prosperity for those around them, but to make sure nobody else takes their place as the favored/Teacher's Pet of American capitalists and occasionally give those not in the club a kicking.

Once the "Americans" burn through the generative AI scam and sell a few million AI sex robots that cost as much as cars, they’re basically out of ideas. And from there the plan is to just grab up as many resources as possible and hole up in a bunker somewhere while the world burns.

[VoiceOfTruth]

Re: Amusing.

>> Almost all technologies can be used for both civil and military purposes.

Amen. Let's ban Boeing. Dual use.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Amusing.

> The document specifically cites China's civil-military fusion strategy and related measures aimed at strengthening China's technological capabilities in both civilian and military domains.

That seems to be the actual job of any govt supporting research everywhere. Isn't this just the whole point of the exercise? How is this a devious Sino conspiracy?

If we aren't actually doing this, are our leaders just asleep at the tiller? </rhetorical>

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's all get real here.

China doesn't need EU. At least not the wreck EU has become these days.

[TLHH]

Very convenient excuse. And the EU doesn't spy? Perhaps China should hold back on more rare earths? Half the Nexperia supplies then. National security you know and all that. Must be careful if the Dutch are going to piss on you again. Remember you started this