Wuyuan Lu 陆五元 Professor, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Former Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Table of Contents Overview 2012 Institute of Human Virology Annual Report Links and References Overview According to Science on March 23, 2023, for decades, Chinese-born U.S. faculty members like Wuyuan Lu were celebrated for fostering collaborations with colleagues in China. These partnerships were viewed as enriching the scientific community, and universities proudly cited the benefits of their ties to the rising global power. But in late 2018, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when institutions began receiving emails from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), asking them to investigate whether their faculty had violated NIH policies by allegedly failing to disclose affiliations with Chinese institutions. This marked the beginning of a covert, wide-reaching investigation that would result in 103 scientists—many of them tenured faculty—losing their jobs within four years. [By June 2024, the number has increased to 112.] Dr. Lu, a tenured professor at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Human Virology (IHV), was one of those caught in the crosshairs. In December 2018, he received an urgent email from a senior university research administrator, Dennis Paffrath, who cited concerns raised by the NIH about Dr. Lu's alleged failure to disclose outside research support and affiliations with Chinese universities. The NIH letter pointed to Dr. Lu’s connections with Xi’an Jiaotong University and Fudan University, alleging that his NIH-funded research overlapped with work being conducted in China. Confident that this was a misunderstanding, Dr. Lu responded swiftly. He explained that his collaborations in China were purely academic and that NIH funds were never used for work conducted overseas. He highlighted the intellectual contributions of Chinese students to his NIH-funded research at IHV, stating that the university had not only approved these partnerships but had publicly celebrated them. However, Dr. Lu's reassurances were met with silence for 15 months. When NIH finally responded, it demanded more documentation, asking for detailed descriptions of his research and even English and Chinese copies of contracts he had signed with Chinese institutions. Despite his efforts to comply, NIH remained unsatisfied. Lu felt the pressure mounting. Frustrated by the process and what he perceived as an unjustified witch hunt, Dr. Lu reached his breaking point. In August 2020, after years of uncertainty, he resigned from his tenured position at the University of Maryland. He relocated to China, where he now teaches at Fudan’s medical school in Shanghai. Looking back, Dr. Lu describes the NIH as acting like a “bully.” He felt that the investigation was a form of racial profiling, a symptom of the larger campaign to counter Chinese espionage, despite little evidence of wrongdoing. While the university never explicitly blamed him, Dr. Lu saw them as simply the middleman, caught between NIH's demands and their faculty. The once-celebrated scientist now viewed NIH’s actions as part of a larger trend of targeting Chinese-born academics, reflecting a dramatic shift in the U.S. scientific landscape, where collaboration with China had gone from a prized asset to a perceived liability. 2012 Institute of Human Virology Annual Report The 2012 University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology annual report highlighted Dr. Wuyuan Lu’s structural biology research associated with China. According to the report, “Dr. Wuyuan Lu has recently been tapped by Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU)—a prestigious academic institution in China—to help build a center for translational medicine in the ancient city of Xi’an as an extension of his ongoing biomedical research at IHV. The research center is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and the Frontier Institute of Science and Technology of XJTU, and forms a strategic alliance with the University’s First Affiliated Hospital—the largest hospital in northwest China. The core mission of the center is to support biomedical research aimed at translating basic science discoveries into improved human health in the areas of cancer and infectious disease. “Dr. Lu regularly travels to Xi’an for strategic planning consultation that entails the building of the infrastructure of the center, recruitment of its principal investigators, development of curricula for graduate education, and establishment of a multidisciplinary research program. Discussions are also underway about how to launch a platform in Xi’an to foster close collaborations in basic and clinical research on HIV between the Institute of Human Virology and XJTU. Dr. Lu hopes that his stint in Xi’an will ultimately lead to frequent exchanges of basic scientists, clinicians and graduate students, sponsorship of joint research projects by the U.S. and China, and a greater role for the IHV in leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS. “The major goals of IHV’s research in the Laboratory of Chemical Protein Engineering (Lu laboratory) include deciphering the molecular basis of how proteins function, elucidating the structure and function relationships for and mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides, and developing novel antitumor and antiviral peptides for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease. “Structural biology has grown rapidly at IHV, including international expansion of Lu’s program…” Links and References University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Wuyuan Lu 2023/03/23 Science: Pall of Suspicion 2012 University of Maryland: Institute of Human Virology annual report Previous Item Next Item

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session launched the China Initiative to combat national security threats and economic espionage emanating from the People’s Republic of China. Without a definition of what constitutes a China Initiative case, it drifted to profile and stigmatize Asian Americans and individuals of Asian descent, creating severe damage and a chilling effect on scientific collaboration and harming U.S. leadership in science and technology. November 1, 2018 Table of Contents Overview FBI Director’s Profiling Approach NIH’s Own “China Initiative” Criminalizing China The Ethnic Targeting of Chinese Scientists Links and References Overview On November 1, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session announced the launch of the China Initiative to combat national security threats and economic espionage emanating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). “This Initiative will identify priority Chinese trade theft cases, ensure that we have enough resources dedicated to them, and make sure that we bring them to an appropriate conclusion quickly and effectively.” Sessions said. President Donald Trump fired Sessions less than a week later, but the China Initiative remained in operation for 1,210 days until it was ended by the Joe Biden Administration on February 23, 2022. The Department of Justice (DOJ) had no definition of what constitutes a China Initiative case. DOJ created an online report on what it considered to be Chinese Initiative cases. The online report was last updated on November 19, 2021, three months before the initiative officially ended. According to MIT Technology Review , there have been 77 known China Initiative cases impacting 162 individuals. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the cases, MIT Technology Review concluded that the initiative had increasingly charged academics with “research integrity” issues. Nearly 90% of the defendants charged were of Chinese heritage, lending credence to wide-spread allegations that scientists and researchers of Chinese origin were racially profiled and targeted under the China Initiative despite denials by the government. The DOJ China Initiative cases included only indictments and prosecutions. It did not include investigations or surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and other federal law enforcement agencies and grant agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH ran its own China Initiative. By March 23, 2023, a year after the official end of the China Initiative, NIH’s own “China initiative” had upended hundreds of lives and destroyed scores of academic careers. In contrast to the very public criminal prosecutions of academic scientists under the China Initiative, NIH’s version was conducted behind closed doors. FBI Director’s Profiling Approach The first thunder of the New Red Scare came on February 13, 2018, when FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing and targeted all students, scholars and scientists of Chinese origin as a national security threat to the United States. Wray responded to a question in the hearing, “I think in this setting I would just say that the use of nontraditional collectors, especially in the academic setting, whether it’s professors, scientists, students, we see in almost every field office that the FBI has around the country. It’s not just in major cities. It’s in small ones as well. It’s across basically every discipline.” Asian American advocates were outraged by Wray’s presumption that every Chinese professor, scientist, and student was guilty of collecting intelligence for the Chinese government until proven innocent. Conflating the stereotype of “perpetual foreigners” and the loyalty of Asian Americans to the United States, Wray pledged to pursue a “whole-of-society” approach to address the threat of China. His use of the term “non-traditional collectors” for spies parallelled “thousand grains of sand” during the prosecution of Dr. Wen Ho Lee and “fifth column” in referral to Japanese Americans during World War II. Qian Xuesen, also known as Hsue-shen Tsien, a founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, became a victim of the Second Red Scare during the Cold War era, facing accusations of “communist sympathies” despite his contributions to American scientific advancement. Fourteen Asian American community organizations wrote to Wray on March 1, 2018, and called for “an opportunity to discuss how well-intentioned public policies might nonetheless lead to troubling issues of potential bias, racial profiling, and wrongful prosecution.” Wray never responded to the letter. References and Links Wikipedia: Qian Xuesen 2020/02/02 The Intercept: The FBI’s China Obsession - The U.S. Government Secretly Spied on Chinese American Scientists, Upending Lives and Paving the Way for Decades of Discrimination 2019/12/31 Bloomberg: As China Anxiety Rises in U.S., Fears of New Red Scare Emerge 2019/07/20 New York Times: A New Red Scare Is Reshaping Washington 2018/03/23 Huffington Post: FBI Director Defends Remarks That Chinese People In U.S. Pose Threats 2018/03/08 Washington Post Opinion: America’s new — and senseless — Red Scare 2018/03/01 14 Coalition Organizations: Coalition letter to FBI Director Wray 2018/03/01 Committee of 100: Community Organizations Call for Meeting with FBI Director Christopher Wray Regarding Profiling of Students, Scholars, and Scientists with Chinese Origins 2018/02/27 Asia Times: FBI director’s grave mistake on targeting Chinese-Americans 2018/02/16 纽约都市新闻网: 华裔议员严厉谴责Rubio和Wray针对中国学生的极端言论 2018/02/15 CAPAC: CAPAC Members on Rubio and Wray’s Remarks Singling Out Chinese Students as National Security Threats 2018/02/14 Inside Higher Ed: The Chinese Student Threat? 2018/02/13 Advancing Justice | AAJC: FBI Director’s Shock Claim: Chinese Students Are a Potential Threat 2018/02/13 U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: Hearing on Global Threats and National Security 2016/05/25 60 Minutes: Collateral Damage 2015/05/10 New York Times: Accused of Spying for China, Until She Wasn’t 2000/09/14 New York Times: Statement by Judge in Los Alamos Case, With Apology for Abuse of Power . 1999/12/11 Washington Post: China Prefers the Sand to the Moles 1964/02/02 New York Times: F.B.I. Chief Warns of Red China Spies NIH’s Own “China Initiative” According to the Science Magazine, Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sent a missive to more than 10,000 institutions on August 20, 2018, asserting that "threats to the integrity of U.S. biomedical research exist" and highlighted the failure to disclose "substantial resources from other organizations, including foreign governments." Collins wrote that "in the weeks and months ahead you may be hearing from [NIH] regarding … requests about specific … personnel from your institution." Dubbed as NIH’s own “China Initiative,” NIH began sending letters to dozens of major U.S. research universities in March 2019, asking them to provide information about specific faculty members with NIH funding who are believed to have links to foreign governments that NIH did not know about. Universities reportedly scrambled to respond to the unprecedented queries. Some academic administrators worry the exercise could cast a chill over all types of international scientific collaborations. Others fear that the inquiry may become a vehicle to impugn the loyalty of any faculty member—and especially any foreign-born scientists—who maintain overseas ties. At some institutions, every researcher flagged by NIH was Chinese American. The vaguely worded letters did not contain specific accusations, nor did it explain any aspect of the process. By March 23, 2023, a year after the official end of the China Initiative, Science reported that NIH’s “China initiative” has upended hundreds of lives and destroyed scores of academic careers. In contrast to the very public criminal prosecutions of academic scientists under the China Initiative, NIH’s version was conducted behind closed doors. More than one in five of the 246 scientists targeted were banned from applying for new NIH funding for as long as 4 years—a career-ending setback for most academic researchers. And almost two-thirds were removed from existing NIH grants. Some 81% of the scientists cited in the NIH letters identify as Asian, and 91% of the collaborations under scrutiny were with colleagues in China. In only 14 of the 246 cases—a scant 6%—did the institution fail to find any evidence to back up NIH’s suspicions. NIH is by far the largest funder of academic biomedical research in the United States, and some medical centers receive hundreds of millions of dollars annually from the agency. So when senior administrators heard Michael Lauer, NIH deputy director for extramural research, say a targeted scientist “was not welcome in the NIH ecosystem,” they understood immediately what he meant—and that he was expecting action. “If NIH says there’s a conflict, then there’s a conflict, because NIH is always right,” says David Brenner, who was vice chancellor for health sciences at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), in November 2018 when the institution received a letter from Lauer asking it to investigate five medical school faculty members, all born in China. “We were told we have a problem and that it was up to us to fix it.” In a panel discussion hosted by the University of Michigan in March 2024, Professor Ann Chih Lin, asserted that NIH made it clear that if they couldn’t resolve concerns regarding a faculty member and a grant, NIH would not only require universities to repay the grant, but also investigate universities’ entire portfolio of NIH grants. Fearing the loss of grant money, universities often approached the implicated professors and encouraged them to resign voluntarily or retire early. This strategy aimed to avoid a public disciplinary hearing or grievance process, which could bring unwanted attention to the case. Professors involved in such investigations typically refrained from discussing their cases to protect both themselves and the universities, often choosing to depart quietly. References and Links 2024/03/29 University of Michigan News: US universities secretly turned their back on Chinese professors under DOJ’s China Initiative 2023/02/23 Science: Pall of Suspicion 2019/03/01 Science: NIH letters asking about undisclosed foreign ties rattle U.S. universities Criminalizing China The name of China Initiative by itself is problematic. "Using 'China' as the glue connecting cases prosecuted under the Initiative's umbrella creates an overinclusive conception of the threat and attaches a criminal taint to entities that possess 'China-ness,' based on PRC nationality, PRC national origin, Chinese ethnicity, or other expressions of connections with 'China.,'" Professor Margaret Lewis wrote in her article "Criminalizing China" in 2020. Her article further contends that, when assessed in light of the goals of deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and retribution, it is worrisome that the prosecution and punishment of people and entities rests in part on a connection with “China.” A better path is to discard the “China Initiative” framing, focus on cases’ individual characteristics, and enhance the Department of Justice’s interactions with nongovernmental experts. Margaret K. Lewis, Criminalizing China , 111 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 145 (2020). https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/vol111/iss1/3 The Ethnic Targeting of Chinese Scientists On November 19, 2020, The China Project produced a video titled “ The China Initiative: The ethnic targeting of Chinese scientists and the subsequent brain drain .” (7:30) The China Project talked to lawyers, academics, and victims of the China Initiative for their perspective. Many Chinese and Chinese American researchers feel that the program has placed a target on their back, and that they are being unfairly targeted for their Chinese ethnicity. There are also critics who say the Initiative has done little more than drive talent away from the U.S. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ1__sV_F7s Jump to: Overview FBI Director’s Profiling Approach NIH’s Own “China Initiative” Criminalizing China Ethnic Targeting of Chinese Scientists U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session launched the China Initiative to combat national security threats and economic espionage emanating from the People’s Republic of China. Without a definition of what constitutes a China Initiative case, it drifted to profile and stigmatize Asian Americans and individuals of Asian descent, creating severe damage and a chilling effect on scientific collaboration and harming U.S. leadership in science and technology. Previous Next 1. DOJ launched China Initiative

Academics, elected officials, and civil rights groups across the country are raising concerns about the nomination of Casey Arrowood to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. July 29, 2022 Sign the campaign to oppose Arrowood's nomination The White House announced the nomination of Mr. Casey Arrowood to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee on July 29, 2022. The Senate Judiciary Committee logged the nomination as PN2444 on August 1, 2022. Academics, elected officials, civil rights groups, and community organizations across the country have raised grave concerns about this nomination - It will further erode public trust in our judicial system and increase the chilling effect on U.S. science and technology. Mr. Arrowood was the lead prosecutor of University of Tennessee Professor Anming Hu , an internationally-renown nanotechnology expert and the first academic to go to trial under the now-defunct “ China Initiative. ” Court testimonies and documents show that Professor Hu was subject to a two-year Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) investigation started by a Google search , not a criminal predicate. Professor Hu was fired by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville based on misleading and false information provided by the government. When the false allegation that Professor Hu spied for China could not be supported by facts and evidence, he was pressed to spy on China for the U.S. government. After Professor Hu refused, Mr. Arrowood mounted a wire fraud case against Professor Hu. The jury deadlocked, and a mistrial was declared. On June 17, 2021, three members of the House Judiciary Committee, Reps. Ted Lieu, Mondaire Jones, and Pramila Jayapal, referred the case to the Inspector General at the Department of Justice for review out of concerns of alleged misconduct of the FBI in Professor Hu’s case. Mr. Arrowood’s wrongful prosecution of Professor Hu betrayed the public trust and confidence we all place in our judicial system. According to a media report , a member of the all-white jury entered the 2021 trial assuming that the government handled the case with honesty and integrity. At the end of the mistrial, she concluded publicly that it was “the most ridiculous case” and “if this is who is protecting America, we’ve got problems.” Instead of reviewing his weak case and acting in the interests of justice, Mr. Arrowood pursued a retrial of Professor Hu. In the order to acquit Professor Hu of all charges in the indictment, Judge Thomas Varlan ruled that the government's evidence, even if given in the light most favorable to the government, would be clearly insufficient for a rational jury to convict Professor Hu of the crimes alleged. Despite the judge's ruling, the unjust prosecution forever changed the lives of Professor Hu and his family. To this day, Professor Hu describes that period as "the darkest time of [his] life" as he and his family endured financial instability, traumas, family separation, and a long battle for justice. The nomination of Mr. Arrowood is an affront to the Asian American, immigrant, and scientific communities. It opens a new wound when we still need to heal from years of prosecution and targeting of Asian Americans and immigrants during and before the "China Initiative." Our communities continue to work towards justice and ensuring substantive reforms to end the targeting and profiling of Asian Americans and immigrants. Mr. Arrowood demonstrated his poor judgment, wasted valuable taxpayers’ dollars, failed to uphold justice and fairness, and eroded public trust. His wrongful prosecution of Professor Hu, not once but twice, is deplorable and an embarrassment to our nation. In an exclusive interview with Tennessee Lookout on August 11, 2022, Professor Hu called for President Joe Biden to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Arrowood. “My case was a case of wrongful prosecution, and I believe (if Arrowood is confirmed) similar things will happen again and will damage long term the U.S. (government’s) reputation,” Professor Hu said. “If you do something wrong, you should have consequences. Instead, (Arrowood) is getting rewarded. It is very unfair. I do not think this is a reasonable nomination.” On August 20, 2022, Professor Hu and his family wrote to the White House requesting President Biden to rescind the nomination of Mr. Arrowood. Professor Hu cited four explanations for his objection: As the leading prosecutor, Mr. Arrowood should have stopped this wrongful investigation and never brought this case forward for prosecution. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Arrowood himself did not understand the law that he was prosecuting. This wrongful prosecution created a strong chilling effect among the Chinese American community. This nomination has harmed the reputation of the U.S. government. APA Justice , Asian American Scholar Forum , Tennessee Chinese American Alliance , and United Chinese Americans launched this nationwide campaign to support Professor Hu and oppose the nomination of Mr. Arrowood. We give voice to Asian Americans and immigrants, the scientific and academic community, and to the impacted persons and their families. We call for the White House to withdraw the nomination, and the Senate Judiciary Committee to take no action on the nomination before a thporugh investigation and a hearing have been completed. We will continue to collect organizational and individual co-signers until there is an end to the nomination of Mr. Arrowood. Please help spread the word if you have already signed on and fill out the form here if you have not yet done so: https://bit.ly/OpposeArrowoodNomination Please help spread the word about this campaign widely. We also encourage organizations and individuals to send their own letters directly to the White House and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Email contact@apajustice.org if you have any questions or comments. Note : Organizers of the campaign retain the right to decide on the final co-signers to the letters. Please sign on to the campaign here: https://bit.ly/OpposeArrowoodNomination 2022/11/10 Committee of 100: Committee of 100 Expresses Concerns Over Mr. Casey Arrowood Being Nominated to Serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. http://bit.ly/3EBDpEy 2022/11/06 Knox News: 'I want him voted down': Professor wrongly accused of spying fights prosecutor's promotion. https://bit.ly/3UDuYgZ 2022/09/06 Coalition letter to President Biden requesting the withdrawal of the nomination of Casey Arrowood. https://bit.ly/3KTWGTm 2022/09/06 Coalition letter to Senate Judiciary Committee requesting no action on the nomination of Casey Arrowood before thorough review. https://bit.ly/3KSy79l 2022/09/02 Department of Justice: Response to June 17, 2021, Request for Investigation. https://bit.ly/3rISqgJ 2022/08/31 Anming Hu letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee requesting rejection of Arrowood nomination. https://bit.ly/3RezeT6 2022/08/24 APA Justice Newsletter: Special Edition on the Campaign to Oppose the Nomination of Mr. Casey Arrowood. https://bit.ly/3ckMgPI 2022/08/22 Draft letter to President Biden to withdraw the nomination of Casey Arrowood. https://bit.ly/3T7yeRN 2022/08/20 Anming Hu letter to the White House requesting withdrawal of Arrowood nomination. https://bit.ly/3wizTum 2022/08/31 Tennessee Lookout: Asian American groups urge rejection of nominee for U.S. Attorney in Tennessee’s Eastern District . https://bit.ly/3CIVj7T 2022/08/11 Tennessee Lookout: Falsely accused University of Tennessee professor: Biden should rescind U.S. Attorney nomination. https://bit.ly/3C1YiYv Academics, elected officials, and civil rights groups across the country are raising concerns about the nomination of Casey Arrowood to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Previous Next Campaign to Oppose The Nomination of Casey Arrowood

Republicans have introduced legislation on that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States. May 27, 2020 As history would repeat itself again, two Republican senators and a Republican congressman introduced legislation on May 27, 2020 that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States for graduate or postgraduate studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields. While sugarcoated under the name of SECURE CAMPUS Act , it is the new Chinese Exclusion Act . The 1882 version started by targeting Chinese skilled and unskilled laborers for 10 years, preceded by anti-Chinese hate violence and "Magic Washer," then extended to all Asians permanently. It was not repealed until 1943. Only after many generations did the U.S. Senate and House express its regret its enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The new Chinese Exclusion Act targets students and scientists, preceded by racial profiling of Chinese American scientists and xenophobic labeling of "China virus" and "Wuhan virus" to provoke racism and hate. Quoting Republican Iowa Congressman John Kasson (1822-1910), this new version of the Chinese Exclusion Act is also "one of the most vulgar forms of barbarism." OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates has prepared an open letter calling on the senators and congressman to withdraw and abandon the bill. Like-minded organizational are asked to sign on to the letter here . Deadline to join the open letter is June 2, 2020. Republicans have introduced legislation on that would bar Chinese nationals from receiving student or research visas to the United States. Previous Next New Chinese Exclusion Act

Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. January 23, 2023 On January 23, 2023, Texas Representative Angie Chen Button 陳筱玲 announnced that she has joined State Representatives Cody Harris and Jacey Jetton in support of House Bill 1075 , recently filed legislation that would prohibit foreign governments or any entity owned or controlled by a foreign government from purchasing agricultural land in Texas. "Like so many other Texans who immigrated here for a better life, I came to America because it afforded me new opportunities, including the right to own property and freely purchase a safe and stable home in which to rase my family. This is a right that all Texans, regardless of race, color, or creed, should have," stated State Representative Angie Chen Button. Under HB 1075 by Rep. Harris, all individuals and American-owned businesses will maintain their right to purchase ag property in the State of Texas. As filed, the legislation applies to all foreign governments or government-controlled entities equally. On January 23, 2023, Texas Senate Bill 552 was introduced. The title of the bill is "Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with agricultural land." Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. Previous Next Texas House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 552

On September 9, 2021, Judge Thomas Varlan issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order and acquitted Professor Anming Hu of all charges in his indictment. September 9, 2021 On September 9, 2021, Judge Thomas Varlan issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order and acquitted Professor Anming Hu of all charges in his indictment. Professor Hu is the first academic to go to trial under the "China Initiative." Read more about the latest developments and background of Professor Hu's case at Anming Hu . On September 9, 2021, Judge Thomas Varlan issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order and acquitted Professor Anming Hu of all charges in his indictment. Previous Next Professor Anming Hu Acquitted

The DOJ's online report of the China Initiative has been suspiciously changed ahead of a review by the Assistant Attorney General for National Security. June 14, 2021 Launched by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in November 2018, the "China Initiative" purportedly combats economic espionage and trade secret thefts. However, its scope and boundaries have not been defined after three years of operation. There has not been an official count of "China Initiative" cases. According to the DOJ online report on June 14, 2021, there were 71 prosecutions since the start of the "China Initiative." This web page lists 24 scientists from 23 of these "China Initiative" cases. Cases with ID #XX are believed to be under the "China Initiative" but have not been explicitly listed by DOJ. These cases match closely the Law360 report 'Overheated': How A Chinese-Spy Hunt At DOJ Went Too Far on September 28, 2021. On November 19, 2021, the DOJ online report was changed significantly with at least 20 cases removed and about 4 cases added. The unannounced and unexplained changes made on a Friday are disturbing because an independent review led by Matt Olsen, newly appointed Assistant Attorney General for National Security, is supposed to be starting. The removals are susceptible to creating yet another misleading impression of the "China Initiative." For example, the removals include the dismissed or acquitted cases of Anming Hu, Qing Wang, Chen Song, Xin Wang, Juan Tang, Kaikai Zhao, and Guan Lei. One direct impact of the DOJ changes is the removal of the 8 dismissed cases. The DOJ's online report of the China Initiative has been suspiciously changed ahead of a review by the Assistant Attorney General for National Security. Previous Next Watch Out for Unexplained Changes in the DOJ Online Report

Xin Zhao, a prize-winning Ph.D. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, was forced to flee the U.S. after a federal investigation that included a failed sting, airport stops and an unfounded child-porn search. July 18, 2019 On July 18, 2019, Bloomberg reported on the story of Xin Zhao, a prize-winning Ph.D. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, whose startup fled the U.S. after a federal investigation that included a failed sting, airport stops and an unfounded child-porn search. “My dream was defeated,” says Zhao, whose crew-cut and boyish face belie the brash candor with which he tells his story. “I came here for freedom and security. Now fear is pushing us back to China.” Inventors with Chinese last names account for one out of every 10 new patents in the U.S. today, up from less than 2% in 1975. While China lost more than 50,000 inventors to emigration from 2002 to 2011, the U.S. welcomed a net gain of more than 190,000, as measured by patent registrations, according to data compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization, an arm of the United Nations. Xin Zhao, a prize-winning Ph.D. from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, was forced to flee the U.S. after a federal investigation that included a failed sting, airport stops and an unfounded child-porn search. Previous Next U.S. Targeting of Chinese Scientists Fueling a Brain Drain

On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. December 2, 2021 Table of Contents Overview DOJ Changed Its Online Records Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records Links and References Overview On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published the first of two investigative reports titled The US crackdown on Chinese economic espionage is a mess. We have the data to show it . According to the report, the US government’s China Initiative sought to protect national security. MIT Technology Review reveals how far it has strayed from its goals. Among its major findings are: The DOJ has neither officially defined the China Initiative nor explained what leads it to label a case as part of the initiative The initiative’s focus increasingly has moved away from economic espionage and hacking cases to “research integrity” issues, such as failures to fully disclose foreign affiliations on forms A significant number of research integrity cases have been dropped or dismissed Only about a quarter of people and institutions charged under the China Initiative have been convicted Many cases have little or no obvious connection to national security or the theft of trade secrets Nearly 90% of the defendants charged under the initiative are of Chinese heritage Although new activity appears to have slowed since Donald Trump lost the 2020 US presidential election, prosecutions and new cases continue under the Biden administration The Department of Justice does not list all cases believed to be part of the China Initiative on its webpage and has deleted others linked to the project. DOJ Changed Its Online Records Also on December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published the second of its two investigative reports titled We built a database to understand the China Initiative. Then the government changed its records . Since the US government launched the China Initiative in 2018, the main source of information about it has been press releases on the Department of Justice’s China Initiative webpage announcing arrests, charges, and indictments. But the record is incomplete. APA Justice and other civil rights groups have been tracking the reported cases and changes made to the initiative’s webpage out of concerns about its potential for racial profiling. They have seen gaps and inconsistencies in the DOJ’s messaging. “I’d like to see a balance sheet,” said Jeremy Wu, who held senior civil rights and ethics positions in the US government before co-founding the APA Justice Task Force, one of the groups that is independently tracking the China Initiative. “What did we gain? How many spies did we catch, compared to how much damage that has [been] done not only to individuals, but also to the future of American science and technology?” The MIT Technology Review database is not that balance sheet. But it is an important step toward answering some of the questions Wu poses—questions that the US government has not answered. Rather, it has added to the confusion: two days after MIT Technology Review reached out with a request for comment, DOJ made major updates to its webpage, removing cases that do not support its narrative of a successful counterintelligence effort. A link to the MIT Technology Review database is located here: https://bit.ly/3xYhp5T Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review During a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Department of Justice on October 21, 2021, Rep. Ted raised the concerns of racial profiling by citing the acquitted case of Professor Anming Hu as an example and requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to review the China Initiative. In response, Garland committed Matt Olsen to conduct a review upon Olsen’s confirmation as the next Assistant Attorney General for National Security. Watch Rep. Ted Lieu’s questions during the hearing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BcwIK269zs (video from 2:52:28 to 2:57:53) Matthew Olsen was sworn in on November 1, 2021. He filled the position vacated by John Demers. APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records On November 24, 2021, APA Justice sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland , making two requests on the pending review of the China Initiative: To ensure credibility and integrity for the review process, we request the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release the official scope and boundaries of the “China Initiative” and a complete list and a formal count of the “China Initiative” cases since the program was launched in November 2018. An unannounced and unexplained update of the DOJ online "China Initiative" report on November 19, 2021 shows the removal of about 20 cases from previous record, including the dismissed or acquitted cases of 7 scientists and researchers - Anming Hu, Qing Wang, Chen Song, Xin Wang, Juan Tang, Kaikai Zhao, and Guan Lei. We request the DOJ to include letters and comments from almost 2,000 faculty members, scholars, and administrators nationwide as part of the thorough review of the “China Initiative.” As of November 23, 2021, a total of 1,959 faculty members from 223 institutions nationwide have endorsed the Stanford letter and joined the call to end the "China Initiative." The nationwide campaign is continuing until the "China Initiative" has ended. The latest counts and comments are posted publicly online at https://bit.ly/3wwrD8A . Jump to: Overview DOJ Changed Its Online Records Matt Olsen to Conduct DOJ Review APA Justice Reported DOJ Change of Records On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. Previous Next 11. MIT Technology Review Investigative Reports

From generation to generation, the Asian Pacific American communities have been resilient in fighting against discrimination and protecting their civil rights. It is a continuing effort that transcends the China Initiative, which again confirms the commitment and determination of the communities from elected officials to organizations and individuals. February 27, 2020 Table of Contents: Overview Protesting Petitioning Elected Officials and Policymakers Speaking Out Against Racial Profiling Support of CAPAC and Congressional Members Collecting and Studying Facts and Evidence Timely Response to Urgent Needs Launch of The Anti-Racial Profiling Project The Role of The Media and Telling Our Side of The Story Building and Sustaining Allies Dialogue with the AAU Technology and Yellow Whistle During Pandemic and Beyond Keeping Up with History and Education for the Next Generations Links and References Overview February 27, 2020, is a symbolic date. It was the day when University of Tennessee Professor Anming Hu, a Chinese Canadian, was indicted by the federal government. He was the first academic to go to trial under the China Initiative. Hu was not charged for economic espionage, but for wire fraud and making false statements. The trial revealed the zeal of the misguided “China Initiative” to criminalize Hu with reckless and deplorable tactics of spreading false information to cast him as a spy for China and press him to become a spy for the U.S. government. He was cleared of all charges, marking one of the major turning points in the China Initiative. Unlike other timecards in this series, this section describes the evolving strategies and approaches used by the communities to address the China Initiative. These communities include both within and outside the Asian Pacific American groups, as well as the scientific and academic individuals and organizations. Throughout history, Asian Pacific Americans have faced various forms of discrimination, including xenophobia, racism, and institutional biases. From the struggles of early immigrants facing exclusionary laws to contemporary battles against hate crimes and racial profiling, the resilience of Asian Pacific Americans remains a guiding force across generations. It spans beyond any single initiative, including the China Initiative, or a particular moment or issue. From elected officials to grassroots organizations and individual activists, there is a collective dedication and broad commitment to confronting injustices and advocating for equality for all. The China Initiative may highlight specific challenges, but it served to reinforce the resolve of Asian Pacific American communities to combat discrimination in all its forms. Ultimately, the resilience of Asian Pacific American communities serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations. Addressing discrimination and advocating for civil rights for all requires a multifaceted approach. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and different strategies must be employed to effectively combat injustices and promote equality. Despite the fears and threats instigated by the China Initiative, the communities used a combination of strategies and approaches to raise awareness and advocate; stand up and speak out; petition elected officials and policymakers; protest in person and in writing; talk and write to the media; collect facts and evidence; raise funds; educate; build allies; run for office and vote; and take legal action and go to court. Protesting Peaceful protest is a time-honored method of drawing attention to injustices and mobilizing collective action. Organizing protests, marches, and demonstrations can exert pressure on policymakers and institutions to address discriminatory practices. Organizations such as United Chinese Americans and the Asian American Scholars Forum, United Chinese Americans, and Tennessee Chinese American Alliance organized protests and rallies outside and inside the courthouses during the trials and hearings of Professors Franklin Tao and Anming Hu, as well as in front of the Department of Justice. References and Links 2023/09/20 Asian American Scholar Forum: Reminder to Attend Appeals Hearing of Professor Franklin Tao . 2022/01/11 United Chinese Americans: UCA Protest Outside DOJ and Press Conference for the Victims of the DOJ’s China Initiative–An Urgent Community Notice 2021/06/08 Tennessee Chinese American Alliance: Press Conference Statement on the trial of Professor Anming Hu Petitioning Elected Officials and Policymakers Writing letters, making phone calls, and organizing lobbying efforts were part of the persistent efforts during the China Initiative. About 30,000 persons joined a petition to then-President-Elect Joe Biden and called for the end of the China Initiative. Led by Stanford University faculty members, thousands of academics and researchers wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland to terminate the China Initiative. Maryland State Senator Susan Lee led successfully a coalition to call for a Congressional hearing on racial profiling of Asian American and Chinese scientists. References and Links 2021/09/08 Winds of Freedom: Stanford Faculty Members Open Letter to AG Garland to End the "China Initiative" 2021/04/09 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Petition of 30,000 People to President Biden Calling for End of the China Initiative 2021/02/01 Maryland State Senator Susan Lee: Calling for a Congressional Hearing on Racial Profiling of Asian American and Chinese Scientists 2021/01/05 Coalition: Letter to President-Elect Joe Biden Calling for End of “China Initiative.” Speaking Out Against Racial Profiling Speaking out against racial profiling is a powerful form of resistance. Whether it is confronting prejudice in everyday interactions or addressing systemic inequalities through public advocacy, individuals can make their voices heard and demand change. On March 22, 2019, three major scientific organizations voiced their concerns about racial profiling by publishing an open letter titled " Racial Profiling Harms Science " in Science. The Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA, 美洲华人生物科学学会), The Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON, 美国华裔血液及肿瘤专家学会), and The Chinese Biological Investigators Society (CBIS, 华人生物学者教授学会) represent the largest and a rapidly growing professional group for scientists, mostly of Chinese descent, in many biomedical disciplines. The letter spells out the concerns about the recent political rhetoric and policies that single out students and scholars of Chinese descent working in the United States as threats to U.S. national interests. On April 7, 2019, the Committee of 100 (C100 百人会) issued a statement condemning racial profiling against Chinese Americans during its annual conference in New York. The statement responds to FBI Director Christopher Wray and a few high-level American government officials, respected media outlets, and opinion leaders who have stated or suggested in recent years that all Chinese persons in America should be suspected of wrongdoing. However, "overzealous criminal prosecutions in recent years of innocent individuals such as Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, like Wen Ho Lee before them, have embarrassingly fallen apart, while ruining lives for no reason. Such targeting of individuals based on their ethnic heritage or national origin violates our shared American ideals. It simply has to stop." "Racial profiling is wrong and un-American in our nation of democracy." The statement concludes that "by standing up and speaking out for what is right and just, Chinese Americans can help lead the way in answering the call that is always before us as Americans: to embody more perfectly the ideals and principles of this great nation we call home." References and Links 2019/04/07 Committee of 100: Committee of 100 Condemns Chinese American Racial Profiling 2019/03/22 Science: Racial Profiling Harms Science Support of CAPAC and Congressional Members The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) was established on May 16, 1994. Congressman Norman Y. Mineta, one of the founders of CAPAC, became its first Chair. CAPAC serves to ensure that legislation passed by the U.S. Congress reflects the interests and needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, educate fellow Members of Congress about the history and contributions of these communities, collaborate with other caucuses to protect civil rights, establish policies on legislation affecting individuals of Asian and/or Pacific Island ancestry in the United States, and coordinate the efforts of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress to achieve these goals. Since its founding, CAPAC has been a strong voice for the protection of the civil rights for the APA communities, especially in addressing the racial profiling issue and the China Initiative. Its efforts continue as CAPAC members themselves are also subject to racial profiling and McCarthyism. References and Links: 2024/01/23 CAPAC: CAPAC Members Lead Effort to Prevent the Relaunch Trump-Era China Initiative 2024/01/22 Rep. Grace Meng: Meng, Hirono and Chu Seek to Stop House Republicans From Relaunching Trump-era China Initiative 2023/04/26 CAPAC: In Joint USA Today Op-ed, CAPAC Members Chu, Krishnamoorthi Write: “In competition with Chinese Communist Party, anti-Asian rhetoric only divides” 2023/03/06 CAPAC: Chair Chu on MSNBC.com : "I am a target of the right’s new McCarthyism" 2023/02/23 CAPAC: CAPAC Statement on Rep. Gooden’s Xenophobic Remarks on Fox News 2022/11/14 CAPAC: CAPAC Chair Statement on Sherry Chen’s Settlement with Department of Commerce 2022/02/23 CAPAC: CAPAC Members Welcome End of China Initiative 2022/01/29 CAPAC: CAPAC Members Meet with Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen on China Initiative Concerns 2021/10/29 CAPAC: CAPAC Members and Attorney General Garland Discuss China Initiative, COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, and Language Access 2021/09/10 CAPAC: CAPAC Member Statements on Acquittal of Dr. Anming Hu After Mistrial Based on False Evidence 2021/07/30 CAPAC: CAPAC Chair Statement on Retrial of Dr. Anming Hu After Mistrial Based on False Evidence 2021/07/30 Rep. Ted Lieu: Rep. Lieu and 90 Members of Congress Urge DOJ Probe into Alleged Racial Profiling of Asians 2021/07/19 CAPAC: CAPAC Leaders Issue Guidance on Anti-China Messaging and Anti-Asian Violence 2021/06/30 Rep. Jamie Raskin: Roundtable Led by Reps. Raskin and Chu Hears about Effects of Ethnic Profiling Against Chinese American Scientists 2020/02/20 CAPAC: Raskin and Chu Launch Investigation into NIH and FBI Probes of Chinese Scientists 2020/01/20 Rep. Jamie Raskin: Raskin and Chu Launch Investigation into NIH and FBI Probes of Chinese Scientists 2019/07/17 CAPAC: CAPAC Members Applaud Successful Passage of Amendment to Address Racial Profiling of Chinese Americans 2018/02/15 CAPAC: CAPAC Members on Rubio and Wray’s Remarks Singling Out Chinese Students as National Security Threats Collecting and Studying Facts and Evidence Gathering data and evidence to substantiate claims of discrimination and refute false narratives is critical for building strong cases and advocating for systemic reforms. Conducting research, compiling testimonies, and documenting incidents of racial profiling provide compelling evidence to support advocacy efforts. Community and professional organizations, individual research, and the media have all contributed important data and studies about the China Initiative and racial profiling. References and Links 2021/12/14 Bloomberg Businessweek: China Initiative Set Out to Catch Spies. It Didn’t Find Many 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review: The US crackdown on Chinese economic espionage is a mess. We have the data to show it 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review: We built a database to understand the China Initiative. Then the government changed its records 2021/11/30 National Association of Scholars: Cracking Down on Illegal Ties to China 2021/11/05 New York Law Journal: DOJ’s China Initiative’s Three-Year Anniversary: Growing Pains and Uncertainty 2021/11/04 NPR: DOJ's China Initiative aims to counter theft of U.S. secrets and technology 2021/10/28 Committee of 100/University of Arizona: Racial Profiling Among Scientists of Chinese Descent and Consequences for the U.S. Scientific Community 2021/10 American Physical Society: Research Security Policies & Their Impacts: Key Results of APS Member Survey 2021/09/28 Law360: 'Overheated': How A Chinese-Spy Hunt At DOJ Went Too Far 2021/09/21 Committee of 100: Racial Disparities in Economic Espionage Act Prosecutions: A Window Into The New Red Scare 2021/09/14 SSRN: Red Scare? A Study of Ethnic Prejudice in the Prosecutions under the Economic Espionage Act , PIER Working Paper No. 21-022 2021/08/18 Jeremy Wu: The Importance of Data in Fighting Racial Profiling: from FedCases to "China Initiative” and Beyond 2021/02/09 Cato Institute: Espionage, Espionage‐Related Crimes, and Immigration: A Risk Analysis, 1990–2019 Timely Response to Urgent Needs On July 24, 2020, the U.S. ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, accusing it to be a "spy center" to conduct spying activities with local medical centers or universities. At about the same time, five researchers from China were arrested and alleged to be spies for China’s military. FBI agents began to knock on doors to demand interviews with persons of Chinese descent, creating widespread fear and anguish in the Chinese American community in Houston. On July 26, 2020, The Intercept published an article: Was The Chinese Consulate in Houston Really a Hotbed of Economic Espionage? According to the article, “people close to China-related investigations in Houston say the decision to close the consulate may be more about politics than spy threats.” During the APA Justice meeting on August 3, 2020, Houston community leaders provided on-the-ground reports and expressed grave concerns about a "witch hunt for spies” by the FBI to use Chinese Americans as “scapegoat” to justify the political claim, for which the U.S. government provided little supporting evidence. Local community leaders appealed to Congress to de-escalate the situation, rein in the rhetoric and irresponsible actions, and provide oversight to protect the civil rights of Chinese Americans. Within three days, OCA, UCA, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and the Asian American Bar Association of Houston co-hosted a “Know Your Rights” webinar on August 6, 2020, to address the urgent question, "What to do if you are questioned by the FBI or police?" Over 850 participated in the webinar. 2020年7月24日，美国命令中国关闭驻休斯敦领事馆，指责其为“间谍中心”，与当地医疗中心或大学进行间谍活动。五名来自中国的研究人员同时被捕，并被指控为中国军方的间谍。联邦调查局（FBI）特工开始挨家挨户敲门要求对在美华人进行采访，在休斯敦的华裔社区中制造了恐惧和痛苦。 7月26日，《拦截》杂志发表一篇文章： 中国驻休斯敦领事馆真的是经济间谍活动的温床吗 ？ 文章称，“接近休斯敦与有关中国的调查人员说，关闭领事馆的决定可能更多是关于政治，而不是间谍威胁。” 在 2020 年 8 月 3 日的 APA Justice 每月例会中，休斯顿社区领袖提供了实地报告，并对 FBI 利用华裔美国人作为“替罪羊”来为政治主张辩护的“政治迫害”表示担忧。美国政府对 “间谍中心” 的指控提供很少支持证据。 当地社区领袖呼吁国会缓和局势，遏制言论和不负责任的行为，并提供监督以保护华裔美国人的公民权利。 三天之内，2020年8月6日，OCA，UCA，Advancing Justice | AAJC 和其他组织共同举办“了解您的权利”网络研讨会，以解决紧急问题：“如果FBI或警察对您提出质疑，该怎么办？ ” 超过 850 人参加了此次网络研讨会。 References and Links 2020/07/26 Intercept: Was The Chinese Consulate in Houston Really a Hotbed of Economic Espionage ? 2020/07/23 Department of Justice: Researchers Charged with Visa Fraud After Lying About Their Work for China’s People’s Liberation Army 2020/07/22 NPR: U.S. Orders China's Houston Consulate To Close, Ratcheting Tensions 2019/08/21 Department of Justice: University of Kansas Researcher Indicted for Fraud for Failing to Disclose Conflict of Interest with Chinese University 2019/06/13 Bloomberg Business: The U.S. Is Purging Chinese Cancer Researchers From Top Institutions . 2019/04/19 Science: Exclusive: Major U.S. cancer center ousts ‘Asian' researchers after NIH flags their foreign ties . Launch of Anti-Racial Profiling Project While short-term actions such as in Houston were necessary, readily available resources were also being developed. On October 7, 2020, Advancing Justice | AAJC launched the Anti-Racial Profiling Project after several months of preparation. The goal of the project is to be a resource, advocate for non-discriminatory policies, provide legal expertise, and to lift up the voices of those impacted by the U.S. government’s increased efforts to target and profile Asian American and Asian immigrant scientists and researchers, particularly of Chinese descent. The concept was advanced by Frank Wu, now President of Queen’s College of the City University of New York, by an essay on “Why You Need A Lawyer.” Initial seed funding was provided by Clarence Kwan, former Chair of Committee of 100, and others. Gisela Perez Kusakawa served as the inaugural director of the project. Individuals seeking legal referral should contact AAJC via the Signal app with the number 202-935-6014 or text ONLY a name and phone number to 202-935-6014 and wait for an AAJC staff member to make direct contact. The project was expanded into the Anti-Profiling, Civil Rights & National Security Program in 2022 with the purpose of combating profiling and protecting the rights of Asian Americans and immigrants through policy advocacy, legal referrals, coalition building, and education for policymakers, the media and the general public. Joanna YangQing Derman is the current director of the program. References and Links 2020/10/07 AsAmNews: AAJC launches Anti-Racial Profiling Project 2020/10/07 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Launch of Anti-Racial Profiling Project Webinar (video 1:00:49) 2020/10/07 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Anti-Racial Profiling Project Description 2020/10/07 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Anti-Racial Profiling Project Webinar Presentation Package 2020/10/07 APA Justice: Anti-Racial Profiling Project Webinar by Dr. Jeremy Wu 2020/10/06 Advancing Justice | AAJC: Anti-Racial Profiling Project Press Briefing (video 52:28) 2020/04/17 Frank Wu: Why You Need A Lawyer 2020/04/17 Frank Wu: Why You Need A Lawyer 2020/04/17 吴华扬: 您为什么需要律师 Know Your Rights by ACLU : What do you do if the FBI or police contact you for questioning? 知道您的权利 （ACLU）：如果FBI或警察联系您进行询问，您应怎么做？ The Role of The Media and Telling Our Side of The Story Asian Americans must share their experiences and tell their side of the story about racial profiling to the media and the public as the government possesses significantly greater resources and access to disseminate its information. By voicing their perspectives, Asian Americans can ensure that their stories are heard and understood, contributing to a more comprehensive and accurate narrative regarding racial profiling and its impacts on the individuals and communities. This proactive engagement can help counteract misconceptions and biases, promote empathy and understanding, and advocate for policies and practices that address racial injustice effectively. Several media reports have significant impacts at different stages of the China Initiative: In August 2018, prior to the launch of the China Initiative, the Houston Chronicle reported an unusual FBI meeting with top leaders from academic and medical institutions in Houston to address security threats posed by foreign adversaries, signaling the launch of a new nationwide initiative. Houston, being a hub of academic and research institutions, was chosen as the starting location for this initiative. In April 2019, Science and the Houston Chronicle collaborated to produce a series of on-site reports revealing the targeting of Chinese American researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center by the FBI and NIH, subjecting the researchers to undisclosed investigations, searches of email accounts unknown to the individuals, and video surveillance. “MD Anderson officials maintain they had little choice but to act after they received letters from NIH detailing allegations and concerns about the researchers.” In essence, MD Anderson threw its faculty under the bus. The reports further deepened the concerns of racial profiling. In June 2019, Bloomberg Business published an investigative report titled “The U.S. is purging Chinese scientists in a new Red Scare,” identifying the NIH and FBI for targeting ethnic Chinese scientists, including U.S. citizens, searching for a cancer cure. It provided the first account of what happened to Dr. Xifeng Wu 吴息凤. In June 2021, University of Tennessee Knoxville Professor Anming Hu became the first academic to go to trial under the China Initiative. Knox News covered the trial end to end, providing a series of shocking, insightful reports as the trial progressed. Thanks to Knox News reporting, especially by reporter Jamie Sattefield, by the time Professor Hu was acquitted of all charges on September 9, 2021, his case would become a symbol of a failed, overreaching China Initiative. In December 2021, MIT Technology Review published not one but two investigative reports. Less than three months later, the Department of Justice announced the end of the China Initiative. Following a proposal by Paula Madison , businesswoman and retired executive from NBCUniversal, in April 2023, APA Justice hosted a virtual Inaugural roundtable to assertively address immediate xenophobic challenges to our freedoms and consider longer-term proactive actions to ensure fairness and justice for all, including the AAPI and immigrant communities. Over 100 community representatives attended and spoke at the online event. Efforts to build a national media network to strengthen the presence and voice of Asian Pacific American communities is an ongoing effort. References and Links 2023/04/03 APA Justice: Paula Madison Speaks at APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review: The US crackdown on Chinese economic espionage is a mess. We have the data to show it 2021/12/02 MIT Technology Review: We built a database to understand the China Initiative. Then the government changed its records 2021/09/09 Knox News: Former Tennessee professor acquitted of fraud charges in espionage investigation 2021/08/02 Knox News: Former University of Tennessee professor falsely accused of espionage faces second trial 2021/07/29 Knox News: How the FBI manipulated the University of Tennessee to find a Chinese spy who didn't exist 2021/06/16 Knox News: Trump Administration's first 'China Initiative' prosecution sputters as jurors deadlock 2021/06/14 Knox News: With spy case a bust, feds seek fraud conviction against University of Tennessee professor 2021/06/13 Knox News: Trial reveals federal agents falsely accused a UT professor born in China of spying 2021/06/09 Knox News: University of Tennessee assured NASA that professor had no prohibited ties to China 2021/06/07 Knox News: Trial of former UT professor centers on whether he concealed ties to Chinese university 2019/06/13 Bloomberg Business: The U.S. Is Purging Chinese Cancer Researchers From Top Institutions 2019/04/23 Science: After ousters, MD Anderson officials try to calm fears of racial profiling 2019/04/19 Science: Exclusive: Major U.S. cancer center ousts ‘Asian' researchers after NIH flags their foreign ties 2018/08/09 Houston Chronicle: FBI warns Texas academic and medical leaders of ‘classified’ security threats Building and Sustaining Allies The Asian Pacific American community needs allies to fight racial profiling because collective action and solidarity amplify their voices and increase their effectiveness in advocating for change. Allies from within our subpopulations, professional disciplines, and other racial and ethnic groups, as well as advocacy organizations and community leaders, can provide support, raise awareness, and challenge systemic injustices. Additionally, allies can help bridge gaps in understanding and empathy, highlight the intersections of racial profiling with other forms of discrimination, and advocate for policies that promote equity and justice for all. “Recent immigrants,” meaning primarily those who came from China within the last 30-40 years, now compose more than half of the Chinese American population, outnumbering the native-borns and the “old immigrants” who came from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other parts of the world after the enactment of the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act. As the main victims of the China Initiative, “recent immigrants” have also become new advocates and leaders opposing racial profiling and the China Initiative. United Chinese Americans (UCA) and the Asian American Scholars Forum (AASF) are two of these organized efforts. The scientific and academic community is among the strongest allies during and after the China Initiative, engaging in every phase of advocacy, protest, and policymaking. References and Links 2023/01/12 Migration Policy Institute: Chinese Immigrants in the United States 2022/06 AAPI Data: State of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in The United States 2022/02/23 Asian American Scholars Forum: Asian American Scholar Forum Welcomes the End of China Initiative 2022/01/11 United Chinese Americans: Press Conference for the Victims of the DOJ's China Initiative (online) and A Silent Protest in DC 2021/11/05 Science: China Initiative spawns distrust and activism 2021/10/29 University World News: Racial profiling of Chinese scientists is spreading fear 2021/09/08 Winds of Freedom: Stanford Faculty Members Open Letter to AG Garland to End the "China Initiative" 2021/09/01 American Physical Society: Letter to AG Garland and OSTP Director Eric Lander Dialogue with the AAU Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities (AAU) is composed of America’s leading research universities which collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society. On September 9, 2022, Dr. Steven Pei and Dr. Jeremy Wu, Co-Organizers of APA Justice, joined a virtual meeting with Senior Research Officers at AAU. The meeting was moderated by Roger Wakimoto, Vice Chancellor for Research, UCLA. It included a 10-minute presentation by Drs. Pei and Wu on "Academic Freedom and Engaging Faculty on Campus - The Asian American Perspective" and a package of backgrounds and references , followed by questions and answers, and robust and productive discussions. The meeting continues our engagement and collaboration with AAU after Toby Smith, Vice President for Science Policy & Global Affairs, spoke at the APA Justice monthly meeting on June 6, 2022. Four wishes from the Asian American faculty perspective were presented to AAU: Engage faculty in the development and implementation of NSPM-33 and similar policies on campus to make sure clear instruction, sufficient support, and proper training are provided to faculty, researchers, and administrative staff. “Establish (an independent or joint with faculty senate) committee (preferably led by a Chinese American faculty) to evaluate, define and protect the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of faculty and administration in cases involving the investigation of faculty by outside agencies” - a resolution passed by the faculty senate of a founding member of AAU Offer and publicize first response followed by independent legal assistance. Consider legal insurance in the long term. Help faculty, staffs, and students to resolve visa, border entry, and related issues. References and Links 2022/09/09 Steven Pei and Jeremy Wu: Academic Freedom and Engaging Faculty on Campus The Asian American Perspective 2022/09/09 Steven Pei and Jeremy Wu: Academic Freedom and Engaging Faculty on Campus The Asian American Perspective - Additional Background and References 2022/06/06 APA Justice: Summary of APA Justice Monthly Meeting on June 6, 2022 Technology and Yellow Whistle During Pandemic and Beyond A year after the launch of the China Initiative, the COVID pandemic hit the Asian American community with two viruses simultaneously - the pathological coronavirus and the social injustice virus. Anti-Asian hate incidents and crimes spiked across the nation when increasing awareness about the prevalence and impact of discrimination was crucial. In times when physical gatherings are limited or not feasible, webinars, virtual events, and social media became powerful tools to maintain communications, share personal experiences, organize educational events, and amplify marginalized voices. These platforms enable organizations to host meetings, workshops, and conferences remotely, allowing participants from diverse geographical locations to come together, share ideas, and collaborate effectively. They provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, especially in short notice situations. On Patriots Day, April 19, 2021, The Yellow Whistle Project was started by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and her husband Oscar Tang, Li-En Chong, and others in response to the anti-Asian hate and violence. The color yellow was chosen to signal the advent of spring, bringing hope, optimism, and enlightenment. The whistle is a symbol of self-protection and solidarity in our common fight against historical discrimination, anti-Asian violence, and racial profiling. It has a universal purpose - to signal alarm and call for help - for all Americans. The Yellow Whistle carries a simple and yet powerful message: “We Belong.” Over 800,000 Yellow Whistles have been distributed across the country to date. It continues as a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience for all Americans. References and Links The Yellow Whistle website: https://www.theyellowwhistle.org/ 2021/09/05 Axios: How the yellow whistle became a symbol against anti-Asian hate Keeping Up with History and Education for the Next Generations “Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It.” Effectively incorporating the lessons from the China Initiative into education for future generations demands a multifaceted strategy that encompasses various key elements, including: Preservation of Facts and Information Development of a Comprehensive Curriculum Application of Interactive Learning Methods Promotion of Dialogue and Reflection Engagement with Communities Commitment to Continued Learning and Adaptation References and Links 2023/03/23 1990 Institute: Exclusion: The Shared Asian American Experience 2022/06/13 Representative Grace Meng: Meng Legislation Seeking to Establish First National Asian Pacific American Museum Signed into Law by President Biden From generation to generation, the Asian Pacific American communities have been resilient in fighting against discrimination and protecting their civil rights. It is a continuing effort that transcends the China Initiative, which again confirms the commitment and determination of the communities from elected officials to organizations and individuals. Previous Next 5. Communities Respond with Resilience

Alien Land Bills This item is connected to a text field in your content manager. Double click the dataset icon to add your own content. The numbers Calls per hour 111 Feedback submitted 22 Average feedback per call 21 As of May 28, 2023, there are 33 states known to have introduced some form of alien land and property bills in the current or recent legislative session. A few have passed and signed into state law; some have died; others are still pending. State-by-state links to the legislations and a companion map are provided below as community resources. They are collected from multiple sources including research by APA Justice, Advancing Justice | AAJC, Committee of 100, National Agricultural Law Center, Project South, media reports, and crowdsourcing. Due to the dynamic nature of these developments, we plan to update the information periodically. We anticipate the introduction or continuation of alien land and property bills into future state legislative sessions. Title Oct. 4th 2023 Tracking Bills Read More Latest developments

April 7, 2019 On April 7, the Committee of 100 (C100 百人会) issued a statement condemning racial profiling against Chinese Americans . The statement was broadly distributed to the media and read by C100 President Frank Wu during its annual conference in New York. The statement responds to a few high-level American government officials, respected media outlets, and opinion leaders who have stated or suggested in the last few years that all Chinese persons in America should be suspected of wrongdoing. However, "overzealous criminal prosecutions in recent years of innocent individuals such as Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, like Wen Ho Lee before them, have embarrassingly fallen apart, while ruining lives for no reason. Such targeting of individuals based on their ethnic heritage or national origin violates our shared American ideals. It simply has to stop." "Racial profiling is wrong and un-American in our nation of democracy." The statement concludes that "by standing up and speaking out for what is right and just, Chinese Americans can help lead the way in answering the call that is always before us as Americans: to embody more perfectly the ideals and principles of this great nation we call home." C100 pledges additional plans and actions beyond the released statement. A conference is scheduled for September 28, 2019 in East Palo Alto, California. Previous Next Committee of 100 Condemns Racial Profiling of Chinese Americans