On February 7, 2020, federal authorities arrested two scientists—Li Xiao-Jiang and Charles Lieber—on fraud charges related to their undisclosed connections to Chinese institutions. The arrests reflect ongoing U.S. efforts to counter economic espionage and safeguard American research. Li Xiao-Jiang, a neuroscientist formerly employed at Emory University, is accused of concealing his work at a Chinese research body while receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health.
According to the complaint, Li failed to report his role at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology during his tenure at Emory’s medical school. In 2015, he received approximately $92,000 in wages from three NIH grants, while also being paid $80,000 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2015 and 2016.
The Justice Department stated that Li’s dual employment was not disclosed to U.S. authorities, and he now faces charges of defrauding the government of salary and related benefits. Officials described his actions as a clear breach of the trust placed in federal grant recipients. Charles Lieber, chair of Harvard University’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, faces allegations of lying to the U.S. Defense Department about his participation in China’s “Thousand Talents Plan.” That program, established to recruit top foreign experts in scientific research and innovation, has been flagged by U.S. officials as a potential threat to American scientific interests.
The complaint details that Lieber signed a contract with China’s Wuhan University of Technology without Harvard’s knowledge. It further states that Lieber received more than $1.5 million from WUT and the Chinese government to establish and operate a research lab at the university.
The lack of transparency has heightened concerns about Chinese economic espionage, with the Justice Department taking a firm stance against such activities. The cases carry significant implications for U.S.-China relations, especially in science and technology. FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that Chinese government theft of intellectual property and trade secrets poses a major threat to national security and the economy.
The Justice Department reiterated that the United States will not tolerate intellectual property theft and will take all necessary steps to prevent it. The academic community has responded with caution.
Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, President of the Association of American Universities, acknowledged the need to protect American intellectual property but stressed that international collaboration remains vital for scientific progress and addressing global challenges. She called for a balance between national security concerns and the commitment to global cooperation. The arrests underscore the importance of vigilance and transparency in international partnerships, as the U.S. government continues to navigate complex relations with China while prioritizing the protection of American intellectual property and national security.
