The

LOS
ALAMOS
CLUB
How the People’s Republic of China Recruited Leading
Scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory to
Advance Its Military Programs

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Table of Contents
Foreword....................................................................................................................... 3

Executive Summary....................................................................................................... 4

Go Global—Play a “Useful Role” in Serving the Motherland ........................................... 6

The PRC’s Talent Superpower Strategy & Its Targeting of Los Alamos National Laboratory........... 6

Building a Global Hub & Spoke Talent Network............................................................................. 7

The "Los Alamos Club"................................................................................................................. 9

SUSTech & Dr. Chen Shiyi............................................................................................................. 13

Hypersonics.................................................................................................................................... 14

Jet Engines..................................................................................................................................... 15

Deep-Earth Penetrating Warheads.................................................................................................. 16

Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles.................................................................................................... 17

Dr. Chen Continues to Support China’s

Defense Industry via New Tech Company............................................................................... 17

He Guowei & China’s Submarine Noise-Reduction Programs.............................................................. 19

Conclusion.................................................................................................................... 20

Appendix....................................................................................................................... 21
Chen Shiyi and Defense Aerodynamics ........................................................................................ 21

Xu Ping and Wang Hsing-lin: Case Studies in Sending Talent Abroad ........................................... 23

He Guowei and the PLA Navy ...................................................................................................... 24

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Foreword The inspiration for this report comes from a March 2017 article
in the South China Morning Post titled “America’s Hidden Role
in Chinese Weapons Research.” The article notes that so
many former Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have
returned to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and are now
working on military research programs that they are referred
to as the “Los Alamos Club.” However, no specifics about this
“Club,” its membership, or the programs these scientists are
working on were reported.

The objective in conducting this study is to contextualize and document

the ongoing efforts of the PRC government to send promising scientists to
U.S. national laboratories for training while also recruiting leading scientists
back to the PRC to advance its own military programs. Former Los Alamos
scientists have made, and continue to make, considerable contributions
to the PRC hypersonic, missile, and submarine programs that present an
array of security risks for the United States and the entire free world. Better
protection is needed for the institutions, research programs, and scientists
advancing innovation in this era of strategic competition without harming
open scientific collaboration.

This report does not suggest any illegal activities were conducted by any
individual, university, professor, laboratory, or research institute named.
Additionally, we do not argue that Los Alamos National Laboratory bears
responsibility for, or was complicit in, the PRC’s recruitment of former Los
Alamos affiliates.

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Executive Summary

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping and

employing a Talent Superpower Strategy other top CCP leaders, suggest that similar recruitment

designed to incentivize academics, efforts may be widespread among U.S. government–funded

laboratories, academic research institutions, and major
researchers, and scientists to go abroad,
centers of innovation. Moreover, the Los Alamos case
deepen their expertise, and return to China
shows how China’s rapid advances in certain key military
to advance its strategic interests.
technologies are being aided by individuals who participated
What began in the 1980s as a program to send young talent in sensitive U.S. government–funded research.
overseas has evolved to incorporate initiatives that seek
Between 1987 and 2021, at least 162 scientists who had
to harness these individuals’ efforts for China’s gain and,
worked at Los Alamos returned to the PRC to support
ultimately, encourage them to return to the PRC to work in
a variety of domestic research and development (R&D)
key technology sectors.
programs. Fifteen of those scientists worked as permanent
The extent to which these initiatives are active in U.S. staff members at Los Alamos. Of those fifteen, thirteen
government laboratories is unknown. However, China’s were recruited into PRC government talent programs; some
recruitment of individuals who have worked at the Los were responsible for sponsoring visiting scholars and
Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico reflects the postdoctoral researchers from the PRC, and some received
ambitions of the PRC’s talent strategy and its exploitation U.S. government funding for sensitive research. At least
of Western commitments to global scientific collaboration. one of these staff members held a U.S. Department of
The PRC’s success among former Los Alamos affiliates, Energy (DOE) “Q Clearance” allowing access to Top Secret
along with support for China’s talent programs from Chinese Restricted Data and National Security Information.

Of the 162 returnees, at least 59 scientists were selectees of the PRC’s flagship
talent recruitment program—the Thousand Talents Program (TTP) and its youth
branch, the Youth Thousand Talents Program (YTTP).

Ninety-eight of the scientists who returned were postdoctoral researchers, and 49 were visiting scholars. Although such
individuals do not have access to the most sensitive research at Los Alamos, they still pose a risk of technology transfer and
economic espionage. The DOE has acknowledged instances in which researchers elsewhere have passed dual-use and export-
controlled research to the PRC via visiting students and scholars.

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Since returning to China, Los Alamos alumni have helped fluid dynamics and turbulence who spent the 1990s
the PRC advance key military and dual-use technologies in at the lab. After returning to China, Chen served as
areas such as hypersonics, deep-earth penetrating warheads, president of Southern University of Science and Technology
unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAV), jet engines, and (SUSTech), where he excelled at recruiting scientists with
submarine noise reduction. A key member of this “Los links to Los Alamos.
Alamos Club” is Dr. Chen Shiyi, a world-renowned expert in

One of Chen Shiyi's first hires at SUSTech was former Los Alamos scientist Zhao Yusheng. During
his 18-year career at Los Alamos, Zhao received at least 28 grants totaling $19.8 million in U.S.
government funding, including for sensitive research on deep-earth penetrating warheads. While at
Los Alamos, Zhao sponsored a postdoctoral researcher who filed a national defense patent on similar
technology after returning to the PRC. The researcher is now affiliated with the Chinese Academy of
Engineering Physics (CAEP), the PRC’s premier nuclear weapons R&D and production facility.

In addition to his role as a talent recruiter, Chen Shiyi has made major contributions to China’s hypersonics
and aerodynamics programs. Chen served as director of a state laboratory that played a key role in developing
the PRC’s hypersonic glide vehicle. Under Chen’s leadership, the laboratory undertook projects with military
organizations, defense industry enterprises, and PRC universities that collaborate closely with the People’s
Liberation Army (PLA). These projects have helped to contribute to the PRC passing the United States in
hypersonic R&D.

He Guowei, another member of the “Los Alamos Club,” has been an important figure in the PRC’s efforts to
develop quieter submarines that are better able to evade detection. While at Los Alamos in the late 1990s, Dr.
He engaged extensively with Chen Shiyi. After he returned to the PRC, Dr. He worked at the Chinese Academy of
Sciences’ Institute of Mechanics (IMCAS), where his team developed computer models that help to quickly and
accurately predict turbulence generated by a submarine.

In recent years, China’s state-sponsored talent programs However, more can be done by government-funded
have drawn increased scrutiny from Washington not only laboratories, research institutions, and private industry to
because of counterintelligence and intellectual property (IP) identify potential counterintelligence and IP theft risks posed
theft risks, but also because these programs are leveraging by individuals whose talent the PRC is seeking to leverage in
taxpayer-funded research to advance the PRC’s economic its race for scientific and technological dominance. Moreover,
development and military modernization. it is an urgent national security imperative for like-minded
nations to work together to protect their innovation centers
The U.S. government has begun to take steps to mitigate
and compete with China to attract, retain, and protect
the risks posed by the PRC’s Talent Superpower Strategy.
leading talent.

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GO GLO BAL

Play a “Useful Role”

in Serving the Motherland

The PRC’s Talent Superpower Strategy

& Its Targeting of Los Alamos National Laboratory

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is employing a “Talent Superpower Strategy” (人才强国战略) designed
to incentivize academics, researchers, and scientists to go abroad, deepen their expertise, and then work
to advance China’s strategic interests. What began in the 1980s as policy to encourage young talent to go
overseas and enhance their skill set has since evolved to include initiatives and programs that ultimately seek to
exploit their efforts in vital technology sectors for China’s gain, whether they return to China or stay overseas.

This report documents the ambitions of the PRC’s talent strategy and its exploitation of Western commitments
to global scientific collaboration. It does not argue that Los Alamos National Laboratory bears responsibility for,
or was complicit, in the PRC’s recruitment of former Los Alamos affiliates. Yet the PRC’s success, along with
support for China’s talent programs from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping and
other top CCP leaders, suggest that similar recruitment efforts may be widespread among U.S. government–
funded laboratories, academic research institutions, and major centers of innovation. Moreover, the Los Alamos
case shows how China’s rapid advances in certain crucial military technologies are being aided by individuals
who participated in sensitive U.S. government–funded research.1

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Building a Global Hub &
Spoke Talent Network
How China’s Talent Initiatives Leverage Overseas
Institutions to Train and Recruit Talent
On June 23, 1978, Deng Xiaoping opened a new chapter in As the number of overseas academics and researchers grew,
the PRC’s drive to acquire foreign technology by declaring the PRC implemented policies that financially incentivized
“thousands, or even tens of thousands, should be sent abroad overseas researchers to leverage their host institutions to
rather than only a handful.” In 1993, resisting the impulse to
2
train talent sent from China. In 2001, the PRC Personnel
turn inward in the wake of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Department, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and
the CCP Central Committee issued a landmark edict that Technology, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of
kept the PRC on the path of economic opening to the outside Finance jointly issued a document titled, “Some Opinions
world. The decision also set the overall policy direction to
3
on Encouraging Overseas Scholars to Serve Their Country.”7
“support of overseas study, encourage returning to China, The document details “funding support” (经费支持) and
freedom to come and go” (“支持留学、鼓励回国、来去自 “remuneration” (报酬) to “overseas scholars to serve the
由”的方针),” themes that were reiterated many times in the
4
motherland through various methods while they are studying
years that followed. In 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping
5
or working overseas” in order to “fully exploit overseas talent
updated this formulation by adding a phrase that called on resources.”8 The document specified seven services for which
overseas scholars to “play a useful role” (发挥作用) in serving PRC scholars working overseas could be rewarded, including
China’s national strategies. Xi has called on the country to leveraging overseas institutes to help train talent.9
“do everything possible to create the conditions for overseas
scholars who return to China to have ample scope to exercise
their abilities and for overseas scholars who remain overseas
to have a gateway to serve their country.”6

THE 7 SERVICES

1. Accept concurrent part-time technical work positions in China.

2. Coordinate research cooperation between overseas and Chinese entities.

3. Conduct research overseas that is commercialized by Chinese entities.

4. Commercialize patents and technology by establishing enterprises in China.

5. Leverage overseas institutes to help Chinese employers train their talent.

6. Introduce foreign technology into Western China.

7. Establish “intermediary organizations” to facilitate the introduction of foreign technology

to China and create more methods to serve the country in addition to those listed above.

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With a large and growing pool of researchers, academics, lab’s Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINL). The
and scientists studying overseas, the PRC in the 1990s Chinese-language version of the advertisement specifically
began to implement programs designed to encourage their sought out participants of the PRC government’s State-
return to China. In 1994, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Sponsored Overseas Joint Training Doctoral Program;16
(CAS) initiated the Hundred Talents Program (百人计划), an the English version of the job posting, however, did not.
initiative specifically dedicated to the recruitment of overseas
experts. Inspired by the success of the Hundred Talents
Program, the PRC Ministry of Education in 1998 created the
Changjiang Scholars Award Program (长江学者奖励计划) to
recruit overseas talent to work in PRC research institutions. A
decade later, the Thousand Talents Program (TTP) launched.
Today, the PRC operates a constellation of more than 470
distinct talent programs at the central, provincial, municipal,
and even institutional level that are aimed at recruiting top
talent, especially overseas talent, for key PRC institutions.10

Previous research by Strider has detailed how PRC talent

programs and funding schemes support the development of
China’s quantum research programs by sending scientists
to top research labs around the world for training and then
recruiting those scientists to return to China.11 This approach
is not limited to the quantum sector. Indeed, state-sponsored
study abroad programs (公派) and other components of the
CCP’s Talent Superpower Strategy provide government
financial incentives for scholars to use foreign institutes to
help the PRC train talent.12

In the case of Los Alamos, at least 10 postdoctoral NEW MEXICO

researchers and visiting scholars were funded by the PRC

government’s State-Sponsored Overseas Joint Training Los Alamos
Doctoral Program (国家公派联合培养博士). Applicants to this
program are given preference if their research aligns with National Laboratory
specific technology needs outlined in PRC government plans
The Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico
or the personnel needs of state laboratories.13 Those who are
is the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier research
selected are contractually required to return to China.14
institution. Its mission—“to solve national security

Under this program, the joint training is coordinated by a challenges through simultaneous excellence”—

doctoral advisor in the PRC and a host supervisor abroad, includes designing nuclear warheads, ensuring

who is likely aware of an applicant’s PRC government the safety and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear

backing.15 At Los Alamos, for example, an online stockpile, and finding innovative solutions to

advertisement was posted in 2017 under the name of a emerging threats in the cyber, space, and new

permanent staff member for a postdoctoral position at the technology domains.

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At Los Alamos, permanent staff members are well positioned Close interactions between PRC universities and the
to identify, select, and train promising talent who could later Ministry of State Security suggests that some postdoctoral
return to China. These staff members are responsible for researchers and visiting scholars are vetted by China’s
reviewing postdoctoral curriculum vitae (CV) and identifying security services before going abroad.19 While they do
candidates with skills matching Los Alamos research not have access to the most sensitive research at Los
programs. Over the span of their careers, Los Alamos
17
Alamos, they still pose risks of technology transfer and
permanent staff—including those who eventually return to economic espionage. The Department of Energy (DOE) has
the PRC—often mentor dozens of postdoctoral researchers. acknowledged instances where researchers elsewhere have
For example, Dr. Zhao Yusheng, who served as a member passed dual-use and export-controlled research to the PRC
of the permanent staff from 1996 to 2012, supervised and via visiting students and scholars.20
sponsored at least 25 postdoctoral researchers, at least eight
of whom were from the PRC and later returned.18

The "Los Alamos Club"

Former Los Alamos Affiliates
Advancing China’s Military Modernization

Overseas applicants who are inducted into a PRC talent For example, at least two Los Alamos scientists have served
program are typically contractually obligated (often as CAS Overseas Review Experts (中国科学院海外评审专家)
unbeknownst to their overseas host institution) to host prior to returning to the PRC. Established in 1999, the CAS
visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers from the PRC Overseas Review Experts system is designed primarily to
and train them in their area of expertise. In effect, PRC talent
21
“encourage excellent individuals who are studying abroad to
programs are ever-expanding recruitment networks. Once return to China and serve their motherland” and to “promote
inducted, participants are incentivized and obligated the recruitment of overseas talents and intelligence.”22 Those
to identify top talent for placement in desirable research hired as overseas review experts must “have the intention to
positions at their host institution and for eventual recruitment actively service the science and technology cause of
back to the PRC. the motherland.”23

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One of the most high-profile elements of the talent strategy subsidy of RMB 3 million to 5 million (approximately USD
has been the TTP, which was established in 2008 to recruit $465,000 to $775,000).24 Forty-two scientists were selected
leading scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs to advance for the TTP’s youth branch, the Youth Thousand Talents
the PRC’s interests. Oversight of the TTP fell under the CCP Program (青年千人计划) or YTTP. Established in 2011, the
Central Committee Organization Department, a secretive YTTP recruits outstanding scientists under the age of 40
party organ controlling personnel appointments within the with the potential to greatly contribute to the achievements of
Party. In 2019, the PRC folded all TTP programs into the PRC science and technology (S&T) and industrial objectives.
“High-End Foreign Expert Recruitment Plan” (高端外国专家引 YTTP selectees receive a one-time grant of RMB 500,000
进计划) managed by the PRC Ministry of Science (approximately USD $77,500), a research subsidy of RMB 1
and Technology. to 3 million (approximately USD $155,000 to USD $465,000),
and appointments at PRC institutions.25
Of the 162 Los Alamos scientists who have returned to China,
at least 17, including 13 permanent staff members, were
selected into the TTP. Members of the TTP receive RMB
1,000,000 (approximately USD $155,000) and a research

79.6%
Of the 113 Los Alamos postdoctoral
researchers and permanent staff members
who returned, at least 90—or 79.6 percent of
the total—were selected into PRC government
talent programs, including 59 for the TTP
and YTTP.26 These programs entail financial
incentives and contractual obligations for the
scientists to serve the science and technology
goals of the PRC and the CCP.

Some Los Alamos returnees—permanent staff,

postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars alike—
have worked closely with People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) scientists on weapons development, contributing
to research in cutting-edge military and dual-use
technologies like deep-earth penetrating warheads,
unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAVs), hypersonics, jet
engines, and submarine noise reduction.

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Los Alamos Scientists
Who Returned to the PRC
BY EM PLOYM ENT T YPE

15
Permanent Staff

49
Visiting Scholars

98
Postdoctoral Researchers

Permanent Staff Postdoctoral Research Visiting Scholars

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Los Alamos Scientists Recruited
into the Thousand Talents Program
BY YEAR

11
10 10
10

8
7
7
6 6 6
6

5
4
4
3 3
3

2
1 1 1 1
1

0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Number of TTP Scientists Recruited

Recruitment from Los Alamos soared with Ԕ The ability to track TTP recruitment has declined

the introduction of YTTP, which expanded the since 2017. In October 2018 information related to the

scope of potential recruits and peaked between TTP began to disappear from Chinese open-source
publications, probably because of increased scrutiny
2013 and 2016, when upwards of 10 Los
by the United States27
Alamos scientists returned to the PRC each
year as TTP selectees. Ԕ It is possible that the TTP’s growth has declined in
recent years as other PRC talent-recruitment tactics
have evolved. The DOE began blocking scientists from
participating in foreign government talent-recruitment
programs in 2019.28

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SUSTech & Dr. Chen Shiyi
A Source of Expertise Driving the Development of Key
PRC Military and Dual-Use Technologies

Former Los Alamos scientists are playing a key role in contributions to PRC scientific research. From 2015 to
advancing China’s science and technology programs, 2020, he served as president of Southern University of
including military initiatives. In a 2017 article titled Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China.
“America’s Hidden Role in Chinese Weapons Research,” the
Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that,
“while the numbers remain unknown, so many scientists
from Los Alamos have returned to Chinese universities and
research institutes that people have dubbed them the ‘Los
Alamos Club.’”29 While the total number of individuals who
have returned to China following stints at U.S. government–
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OF
funded labs is unclear, the individuals who have been
SCIENCE AND TECHNO LO GY
identified are contributing to meaningful advances in
(SUSTECH)
China’s military modernization, presenting a range of
security challenges to the United States and its allies. The Building “China’s Stanford”
careers of a few of the scientists who previously worked at in 10 Years on Recruitment
Los Alamos illustrate the ways and means by which PRC from Los Alamos
government programs recruit foreign-trained experts for
Ԕ SUSTech is a public research university established
strategic initiatives.
in Shenzhen in 2010 by the Shenzhen municipal
A central figure of the Los Alamos Club is Dr. Chen Shiyi government. Nearly all SUSTech’s direct financial
(陈十一). Dr. Chen arrived at Los Alamos in 1990 and support comes from the Shenzhen municipal
became one of the first PRC nationals to receive the government. Its stated ambition is to become
Oppenheimer Fellowship, a distinguished fellowship “China’s Stanford.”
reserved for the top postdoctoral applicants. He served
30

Ԕ At least 15 Los Alamos alumni are currently

as deputy director of the lab’s Center for Nonlinear Studies
employed at SUSTech. For a relatively new institution,
(CNLS) from July 1997 to January 2000. Chen joined
it employs a disproportionately high number of
Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and served as chair of
world-class scholars, most of whom were recruited
the Department of Mechanical Engineering from 2002
via PRC government talent programs, transforming it
to 2004 before becoming the Alonzo G. Decker Chair in
into an important S&T center within the PRC.
Engineering and Science in 2005.31 That same year, he
returned to the PRC to establish Peking University’s (PKU’s) Ԕ According to a report by a PRC Ministry of Education
engineering college. Chen became a CAS Academician in media outlet, more than 40 percent of SUSTech
2013—a position reserved for those who make the greatest faculty are members of the TTP and the YTTP.

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 13

As head of SUSTech, Dr. Chen excelled at recruiting scientists with Los Alamos links to the university.
Many of these returnees had personal and professional ties to Chen. For his achievements, the
Shenzhen municipal government honored Chen in 2017 with the title of “Shenzhen Talent Ambassador”
(深圳人才大使).32 SUSTech currently hosts at least 15 Los Alamos alumni.

Former Los Alamos scientists now working at SUSTech

Shiyi Xiaowen Yusheng Xiangling Dongxiao Songbei Zewei Shanmin

CHEN SHAN ZHAO WANG ZHANG HAN QUAN WANG
(Hsing-lin WANG)

Jinlong Kaijun Li Yuejin Ke Yu Lianping

ZHU LIU DONG GUO GAO CHEN WANG

Permanent Staff Postdoctoral Research Visiting Scholars

HYPERSONICS national strategic equipment and hypersonic wind tunnels.”36

This is a reference to PKU’s quiet hypersonic wind tunnels,37
In addition to helping turn SUSTech into a premier research the first of which was one of only three in the world when
university in China, Chen Shiyi is a world-renowned expert it was built between 2010 and 2011.38 Compared with
in fluid dynamics and turbulence who has made major conventional hypersonic wind tunnels, quiet wind tunnels
contributions to China’s hypersonic missile and aerodynamics more accurately simulate in-flight conditions for objects flying
programs. He is a key figure in a PRC defense innovation at hypersonic speeds.
system intentionally designed to blur the lines between
civilian and military research.

Chen Shiyi joined PKU’s State Key Laboratory of Turbulence

and Complex Systems (LTCS) in 2005 and was its director
from 2011 to about 2020.33 He continued to lead LTCS during Ԕ Using data from PKU’s quiet hypersonic wind tunnels,
his 2015–2020 tenure as SUSTech president. Established in LTCS claimed that it made contributions that were
1995, LTCS conducts fundamental and applied research on “invaluable in the design of hypersonic vehicles.”39
turbulence, aerospace mechanics, and complex flows. Chen is
currently honorary director of the laboratory and vice director Ԕ According to the PKU College of Engineering’s

of LTCS’ Academic Committee.34 LTCS is organized around the Hypersonic Quiet Wind Tunnel Laboratory (高超声速静风

staff, equipment, and facilities of PKU’s College of Engineering, 洞实验室)—a facility used by LTCS staff—research using

where Chen served as inaugural dean between 2005 and 2013. wind tunnels built during Chen’s time as PKU engineering
dean and LTCS director “made important contributions”
Under Chen’s leadership, LTCS played a key role in developing that allowed “[the PRC] to surpass the U.S. in airbreathing
the PRC’s hypersonic glide vehicle.35 According to the LTCS [hypersonic] vehicle research and development.”40
website, the lab “actively participated in the development of

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H Y P E R S O N I C S ( C O N T. ) JET ENGINES
LTCS occupies a central role in a wider network of Chen Shiyi also served on an Expert Steering Group of a
organizations involved in PRC hypersonic and defense major National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) research
aerodynamics research. During Chen’s tenure as director, plan on jet engine development in China. The NSFC is a PRC
LTCS undertook major national projects with military government body that advances basic research in support of
organizations such as the National University of Defense PRC strategic needs. NSFC Expert Steering Groups usually
Technology (NUDT) and the China Aerodynamics Research consist of seven to nine experts responsible for overall
and Development Center (CARDC), defense-industry project guidance, implementation, and review of NSFC
enterprises such as China Aerospace Science and research plans.48 In 2014 NSFC launched the Fundamental
Technology Corporation’s (CASC) 11th Academy, as well as Research on Turbulent Combustion for Engines Major Project
members of the Seven Sons of National Defense, a grouping Research Plan (面向发动机的湍流燃烧基础研究重大研究
of PRC universities that collaborate closely with the PLA. 41
计划), an eight-year research effort aimed at resolving key
technological bottlenecks in indigenous engine development,
Ԕ In 2013, Chen and LTCS cohosted a symposium with
a longstanding impediment in PRC domestic civilian and
NUDT’s Defense S&T Key Laboratory of Hypersonic
military aircraft design and production.49
Ramjet Technology (高超声速冲压发动机技术国防科技国
家重点实验室) on engine detonation, a field relevant for Ԕ The organizations charged with conducting the research
hypersonic propulsion. 42
for this NSFC project include three PLA institutions—
NUDT, Air Force Engineering University (AFEU), and
Ԕ Shortly after Chen stepped down as director in 2020, LTCS
CARDC—along with two state-owned defense-industry
began discussions to establish a joint state laboratory
giants—China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics
with CASC’s Third Academy, the PRC’s premier enterprise
(also known as the CASC 11th Academy) and the
engaged in cruise missile design and production.43
Shenyang Aeroengine Research Institute (also known
As recently as March 2020, Chen was serving as a member of as the AVIC 606 Institute).50
the academic committee of the CARDC State Key Laboratory
Ԕ CARDC organizes the project’s annual conferences
of Aerodynamics.44 In this position, Dr. Chen was responsible
on NSFC’s behalf, while its Air-breathing Hypersonic
for managing research objectives and annual work plans.
Technology Research Center (吸气式高超声速技术研究中
CARDC, also known as the PLA’s 29th Testing and Training
心) hosts the project’s web page.51 52
Base (Unit 63820), is the PRC’s largest aerodynamics
research and testing institute and serves as China’s Ԕ Shan Xiaowen, a SUSTech professor and former Los
primary hypersonic test facility. The laboratory conducts
45
Alamos permanent staff member, contributed to the
aerodynamic modeling in areas such as hypersonic boundary project in 2017 by leading an examination into the
layer transition, weapons bay aeroacoustics, and advanced effects of combustion on turbulence under engine
fighter maneuvers. Since 1999, CARDC has been on the
46
conditions.53
U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List, a trade-restriction
list of individuals and entities conducting activities deemed
contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of
the United States.47

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D E E P - E A R T H P E N E T R AT I N G enhance technological advantages of U.S. weaponry.”60 Dr.

WARHEADS Zhao claimed that this research was conducted with the
U.S. Navy.61 Three years later, in 2007, Dr. He filed a national
One of Chen Shiyi’s first hires as the president of defense patent in China on a similar technology for an
SUSTech was his former Los Alamos colleague, “ultra-thick penetrating warhead”62
Zhao Yusheng (赵予生). During his 18-year career at Los
Alamos, Zhao received at least 28 grants totaling $19.8 Ԕ Following the approval of the patent in 2011, Dr. He

million in U.S. government funding for sensitive research.54 co-led a Major National Defense Special Project

From 2004 to 2005, Zhao led a DOE–Department of Defense (国防重大专项) subproject on synthesizing superhard

(DOD) project entitled “Nanostructured Superhard Noses for nano-polycrystalline diamonds in China.63

Deep-Penetrating Warheads.”55 Zhao was also granted a DOE

Ԕ The project involved a scientist working for the Chinese
“Q Clearance”—allowing access to Top Secret Restricted Data
Academy of Engineering Physics’ (CAEP) Laboratory of
and National Security Information—and led the lab’s team
Shock Wave Physics and Detonation Physics (冲击波物
researching high-pressure materials.56
理与爆轰物理实验室).64

Ԕ Zhao left Los Alamos in 2010 to lead the University

Ԕ CAEP is the PRC’s nuclear weapons R&D and production
of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) High-Pressure Science
facility. The CAEP Laboratory of Shock Wave Physics and
and Engineering Center (HiPSEC)—a position that also
Detonation Physics is also known in Chinese-language
required a Q Clearance—where he received approximately
sources as the National Defense Key Laboratory of
$2.9 million in DOE funding for research into new
Shock Wave and Detonation Physics (冲击波物理与爆轰
battery materials.57
物理国防重点实验室).65

Ԕ Zhao was inducted into the TTP in 2016 and returned

Dr. He currently serves as director of the Sichuan University
to China, where he has since served in several SUSTech
Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics (四川大学院子与
leadership roles, including associate vice president, dean
分子物理研究所), where he also heads the High Temperature
of its Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies,
and High Pressure Physics Laboratory (高压科学与技术实
director of its Office of Research, and chair professor in
验室), which is jointly administered by CAEP.66 Both Sichuan
SUSTech’s Physics Department.58
University and CAEP are subject to U.S. government export

Further review suggests that one of the 25 postdoctoral controls for their role in China’s nuclear program. Dr. He

researchers Zhao sponsored at Los Alamos, also leads the high-pressure physics group at the Ministry

He Duanwei (贺端威), likely leveraged or replicated Los of Education Key Laboratory of High Energy Density Physics

Alamos research on materials for use in hypersonic, and Technology (高能量密度物理及技术教育部重点实验室),

deep-earth penetrating warheads after he returned to the a defense-oriented laboratory whose website states that its

PRC in 2006. Dr. He worked as a postdoctoral research research is conducted in pursuit of the PRC’s Medium and

associate at Los Alamos from 2000 to 2003, with some Long-Term Defense S&T Development Plan.67

information suggesting he remained employed at the lab

until 2005.59 In a 2004 edition of a Los Alamos publication,
Nuclear Weapons Journal, Zhao described how research
on superhard nanocomposites was “highly promising for
hypersonic high-speed penetration” and noted that “super-
hard materials in warhead penetrators [would] significantly

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 16

UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS DR. CHEN CONTINUES TO
VEHICLES S U P P O R T C H I N A’ S D E F E N S E
INDUSTRY VIA NEW TECH
In 2016, Chen Shiyi recruited Shan Xiaowen (单肖文) to serve
C O M PA N Y
as chair professor in SUSTech’s Department of Mechanics
and Aerospace Engineering. Dr. Shan became head of the Dr. Chen remains active in China’s defense innovation
SUSTech Intelligent Aviation R&D Center in 2019, which ecosystem. Since stepping down from his position as
focuses on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies. SUSTech president in 2020, Chen established a computer-
Under Shan’s leadership, the center produced a prototype aided engineering software company called Shenzhen
Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV with both civil Shifeng Technology Co., Ltd. (深圳十沣科技有限公司, aka
and military applications. The center is located in the same
68
TenFong). Chen linked the company’s establishment to wider
state-organized industrial cluster that hosts testing and efforts in the PRC to create industrial software independent
production facilities for military drones, an example of PRC from foreign suppliers.73 Chen’s company has a number of
efforts to integrate civilian research with military end users.69 links to the PRC defense industry:

Ԕ Shan worked at Los Alamos from 1991 to 1998, first Ԕ In late 2021, Shenzhen Shifeng was one of three
as a postdoctoral researcher and then as a permanent companies vying for a contract to upgrade
staff member. He collaborated with Chen in the early heat-flow-analysis software for the China Airborne
1990s on Lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM), a form of Missile Academy (中国空空导弹研究院).74
computational fluid dynamics commonly used in the
Ԕ In June 2022, the company acquired Nanjing Youyi
aerospace industry.70
Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (南京友一智能科技有限公
Ԕ After becoming a member of the Los Alamos permanent 司).75 Youyi’s product line includes FlightSim, a simulation
staff, Shan conducted research as a visiting fellow software with advertised applications in ballistic missile
at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.71 Dr. Shan flight modeling, including simulation of coordinated
returned to the PRC in 2011 as a TTP selectee and joined salvo launches.76
the Commercial Aircraft Company of China (COMAC)
Ԕ Shenzhen Shifeng’s Xi’an branch is led by Qu Kun (屈昆)
as director of aerodynamics at the company’s Beijing
and Cai Jinsheng (蔡晋生), professors at Northwestern
Research Center. In this capacity, he led the preliminary
Polytechnical University, a Seven Sons school, who have
design of the PRC’s first domestically produced wide-
headed multiple classified defense aerospace projects
body commercial aircraft, the C919, a project notorious
in China.77
for allegations of industrial espionage.72
Ԕ Shenzhen Shifeng has entered into cooperative ventures
with at least two companies, Qihoo 360 and China
State Shipbuilding Corporation, that are subject to U.S.
government sanctions.78

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 17

THE LO S AL AM O S CLUB
Los Alamos alumni who are not connected with SUSTech

Beyond
are also contributing to research in highly strategic
technology and contributing to PRC defense research,
but the scope and scale of these efforts is unclear.

SUSTech These individuals include visiting scholars, postdoctoral

researchers, and permanent staff.

At least 13 either work for or have participated in research sponsored by defense

organizations such as the Central Military Commission (CMC) and SASTIND.

At least seven have ties to the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), the
primary R&D and production facility for the PRC’s nuclear weapons program.

At least four former Los Alamos postdoctoral researchers currently work at the State Key Laboratory of Electronic
Thin Films and Integrated Devices (SKLETFID), two of whom received national defense S&T awards for their
contributions. The facility received more than half of its funding from defense entities between 2012 and 2017.
SKLETFID’s accomplishments include producing multispectral camouflage materials for an unnamed stealth
fighter, developing advanced sensors for aircraft engines, and providing infrared detectors for PLA aircraft.

One former Los Alamos permanent researcher led research for both the U.S. military and the PLA while concurrently
employed as a professor at a U.S. university and as a Thousand Talents selectee at Nanjing University of Science
and Technology (NJUST). NJUST is a member of the Seven Sons of National Defense, a group of universities that
collaborate closely with the PLA.

Ԕ Between 2009 and 2015, the individual received approximately $1.8 million from the U.S. Army Research Office,
the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the U.S. Air Force Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for research on advanced materials.

Ԕ While conducting research on advanced materials for the U.S. military, this individual presided over a 390 million
RMB project from the CMC S&T Commission’s Major Frontier Innovation Program (军委科技委前沿创新重大
项目) that made breakthroughs in titanium aluminide (TiAl) alloys, a lightweight material with applications in
defense aerospace.

Ԕ The former Los Alamos researcher collaborated on this project with a researcher who had previously spent time
at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a visiting scholar. The former Oak Ridge visiting scholar later won the PRC’s
highest-level defense S&T prize in 2021 for a separate project.

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 18

He Guowei
& China’s Submarine
Noise-Reduction Programs

Former Los Alamos visiting scholar He Guowei (何国威) is a key figure in the PRC’s efforts to deploy quieter
submarines that are better able to evade detection­—a hallmark of the world’s most modern navies.

Dr. He was a visiting scholar at the Los Alamos CNLS in the late 1990s when Chen Shiyi served as deputy
director of the CNLS lab and it is possible that Chen recruited He to come to Los Alamos.79 The two
cooperated extensively at the lab, publishing seven articles together between 1998 and 1999.80

Ԕ Dr. He joined the staff of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Mechanics (IMCAS) in 1991 as
a postdoctoral researcher and rose through the ranks to become director of its State Key Laboratory of
Nonlinear Mechanics (LNM) in 2006.81

Ԕ In the interim, He was a visiting scholar at the French National Centre for Scientific Research
(1995–1997), at Los Alamos (1997–2000), and at the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and
Engineering (ICASE) at the NASA Langley Research Center (2000) before returning to the PRC as
a selectee of the CAS Hundred Talents Program.

He’s team at the IMCAS LNM developed computer models that help to quickly and accurately predict
turbulence generated by a submarine.82 As of 2019, He continued to pursue research in the “intelligent
identification theory of submarine turbulence noise” at IMCAS.83 Most of the PRC’s other preeminent experts
in submarine noise reduction technology are PLA scientists.84

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 19

Conclusion
China’s recruitment of individuals who have worked at the Los Alamos
National Laboratory reflects the evolution of the PRC’s overall talent
strategy and shows how China’s rapid advances in certain key
military technologies are being aided by individuals who may be
applying knowledge obtained while participating in sensitive U.S.
government–funded research.85 The PRC’s success at Los Alamos,
and support for China’s talent programs by Xi Jinping and other top
CCP leaders, suggest that similar efforts may be widespread at other
U.S. government–funded laboratories, research institutions, and
major centers of innovation.

The U.S. government has begun to take steps to mitigate these risks. In recent
years, the PRC’s state-sponsored talent programs, such as the TTP, have drawn
increased scrutiny from Washington not only because of counterintelligence and
intellectual property (IP) theft risks, but because these programs are leveraging
taxpayer-funded research to advance the PRC’s economic development and
military modernization. According to a 2019 Senate report, PRC talent programs
violate U.S. research values, target U.S. basic research, and erode U.S. economic
competitiveness. That same year, the DOE issued guidance prohibiting involvement
by its employees or contractors in foreign talent-recruitment plans.

Ԕ Several persons connected to the TTP have been indicted by the U.S. Department of

Justice. In May 2022, a federal judge sentenced Xiaorong “Shannon” Yu, a chemical

engineer and TTP applicant, to 14 years in prison for conspiring to steal trade secrets for

the benefit of a PRC-based company.

Ԕ In December 2021, a federal jury found Harvard chemist Charles Lieber guilty of making

false statements and tax offenses related to his participation in the TTP and his

undisclosed affiliation with a PRC university.

However, more can be done by government-funded laboratories, research

institutions, and private industry to identify potential counterintelligence and IP theft
risks posed by individuals whose talent the PRC is seeking to leverage in its race
for science and technology dominance. Moreover, it is an urgent national security
imperative for like-minded nations to work together to protect their innovation
centers and compete with China to attract, retain, and protect leading talent.

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 20

 Appendix
Former affiliates of Los Alamos are central to the networks of scientists engaged in
China’s defense modernization and pursuit of civil-military fusion. This appendix offers
additional insight and context into the personalities, relationships, and organizations in
China involved in that work.

Chen Shiyi and Defense Aerodynamics

While Chen Shiyi guided LTCS and PKU participation in the PRC’s development of hypersonic
glide vehicles, the LTCS’s leadership included military scientists linked to CARDC.

Ԕ Zhang Hanxin (张涵信), a CARDC researcher and former Ԕ Deng Xiaogang (邓小刚) currently serves under Chen
CARDC deputy chief engineer, served as the LTCS on the LTCS academic committee.89 Deng is a CAS
academic committee director when Chen joined LTCS Academician who led the PLA’s NUDT from 2017 to
in 2005. Chen served as Zhang’s deputy on the LTCS 2019. Deng held the rank of specialized technical major
academic committee, and in 2006, Chen hired Zhang as general and was chief engineer at CARDC, where he
an LTCS adjunct professor. At that time, Zhang held a
87
served as the inaugural director of the center’s State Key
specialized technical major general rank and was well Laboratory of Aerodynamics91 and “presided over the
known in PRC aerodynamics circles for his national development and testing of hypersonic wind tunnels and
defense contributions, notably “developing three major resolved problems in the development of many major
software systems for the aerodynamic design of aircraft, weapons and equipment, including…advanced fighter
tactical missiles, and re-entry warheads.” 88
jets, missiles, and hypersonic vehicles.”92 In 2020,
the PLA elevated Deng to vice president of the
Academy of Military Sciences, the PLA’s highest-level
research institute.93

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 21

Chen Shiyi and Defense
Aerodynamics (Cont.)
In addition, Chen has worked closely with senior PLA scientists on multiple Expert Steering Groups for
NSFC Major Research Plans (重大研究计划). NSFC Expert Steering Groups usually consist of seven to nine
experts responsible for overall project guidance, implementation, and review of NSFC research plans.94

In 2017, Chen was tapped to head the Expert Steering Group for the NSFC Major Research Plan for
Generation, Evolution, and Action Mechanism of Turbulent Structures (湍流结构的生成演化及作用机理重大
研究计划). Chen’s fellow Expert Steering Group members included several PLA and PRC defense-industry
scientists, including:95

Ԕ Sun Mingbo (孙明波), an expert in hypersonic propulsion Ԕ Shen Qing (沈清) leads the Science and Technology
technologies, is a professor at NUDT and director of Committee of the CASC 11th Academy.
the university’s Key Laboratory of Hypersonic Ramjet
Ԕ Deng Xiaogang (See bio on previous page).
Technology (高超声速冲压发动机技术重点实验室).96

In 2014, the NSFC launched the Fundamental Research on Turbulent Combustion for Engines Major
Project Research Plan (面向发动机的湍流燃烧基础研究重大研究计划).97 Once again, Chen participated
in the plan’s Expert Steering Group alongside military scientists:

Ԕ Gan Xiaohua (甘晓华), an aeroengine specialist, serves Ԕ Le Jialing (乐嘉陵), is deputy head of the Expert Steering
as head of the Expert Steering Group, Chinese Academy Group, CAE Academician, and former CARDC researcher
of Engineering (CAE) Academician, and chief engineer on the aerodynamic design of strategic missiles, launch
at the PLA Air Force Equipment Academy (中国解放军 vehicles, and hypersonic vehicles. Le concurrently
空军装备研究院). In 2010, Gan received a personal
98
acts as the National Defense S&T Key Laboratory of
commendation by General Secretary Hu Jintao for Hypersonic Ramjets (高超声速冲压发动机国防重点实验
his role in developing the J-20 stealth fighter’s thrust 室) academic committee director and as a researcher at
vectoring engines. In 2014, Chen hired Gan as an adjunct the Academy of Military Sciences (军事科学院, AMS), the
professor at LTCS. In May 2017, Chen appointed Gan as PLA’s highest-level research institute. When Xi Jinping
a chair professor in SUSTech’s Department of Mechanics visited AMS in May 2018, Le was part of a small group of
and Engineering. 99
defense researchers to receive a private audience with
the General Secretary.100

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 22

Xu Ping and Wang Hsing-lin:
Case Studies in Sending Talent Abroad
In 2005, Xu Ping (徐平) was identified and honored as an Outstanding Graduate of the Harbin
Institute of Technology (HIT) by the PRC’s Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for
National Defense (COSTIND). HIT is one of the PRC’s Seven Sons of National Defense.

Ԕ During his PhD program at HIT, Xu also served as Ԕ During this time, Xu was sponsored by Los Alamos
PRC government State-Sponsored Overseas Joint permanent staff member Wang Hsing-lin (王湘麟) to
Training Doctoral Program scholar at Los Alamos return to the lab as a Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow. After
from 2008 to 2009. departing Los Alamos in 2013, Xu was inducted into
the HIT Basic Research Outstanding Talent Cultivation
Ԕ After completing his doctoral program in 2010, Xu
Program (哈工大基础研究杰出人才培育计划) in 2014.102
became a postdoctoral researcher at HIT until 2014
under CAE Academician Zhou Yu (周玉). At the time Ԕ Xu is currently a professor and vice dean of the HIT
Zhou was leading PRC government–funded research into School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.103 Zhou
heat-resistant ceramic matrix composites that were later served as the president of HIT from 2014 to 2021.
used on satellites, rockets, and hypersonic vehicles. 101

Xu’s 2012 sponsor, Wang Hsing-lin, is the longest tenured Los Alamos researcher to go to the
PRC as a TTP selectee. Wang spent 21 years, from 1995 to 2016, at Los Alamos’ Chemistry
Division, first as a postdoctoral researcher and then as a member of the permanent staff.104 105

Ԕ During his Los Alamos tenure, Wang also

served as a subject-matter expert at the DOD
Homeland Defense and Security Information
Analysis Center (HDIAC).106

Ԕ In 2016, Wang was recruited into the TTP

and returned to the PRC as a chair professor
of the Department of Material Science and
Engineering at SUSTech under Chen Shiyi.107

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 23

He Guowei and the PLA Navy
Several PLA scientists serve alongside Dr. He on the Academic Committee of the Shanghai Jiaotong University
State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering (海洋工程国家重点实验室, SKLOE). These include:

Ԕ He Lin (何琳), a CAE Academician, specialized Ԕ Zhu Yingfu (朱英富), a CAE Academician who was
technical rear admiral, and professor at the PLA Naval chief designer for both the PRC’s first guided missile
University of Engineering, where he established the destroyer with true air defense capability and its first
National Defense S&T Key Laboratory of Submarine aircraft carrier.110
Acoustic Stealth Technology (潜艇声隐身技术国防科技重
Ԕ Yang Desen (杨德森), a CAE Academician and Harbin
点实验室) in 2011.
Engineering University professor who directs the National
Ԕ Wu Yousheng (吴有生), a CAE Academician who as of Defense S&T Key Laboratory of Underwater Acoustic
2020 directed the PRC’s Central Military Commission Technology (水声技术国防科技重点实验室) and was a
S&T Commission Naval Warfare Expert Group. 108
member of the PLA General Armaments Department
Submarine Vibration Dampening and Noise Reduction
Ԕ Qiu Zhiming (邱志明), a CAE Academician and weapons
Technology Expert Group.111
researcher at the PLA Naval Research Academy who
designed the Type 730 close-in weapon system (CIWS)
and made technical breakthroughs in vertical launching
systems (VLS).109

The SKLOE is emblematic of how research at certain PRC labs straddle the line between
civilian and military research. Highlighting its dual-use missions, its website declares that it “is
positioned to pay equal attention to applied basic research, national defense scientific research,
[and] civilian scientific research.”112 Some of its research is clearly military oriented:113

Ԕ Development of hydrodynamic and hydro-ballistic models Ԕ A classified project from 2017–2019 sponsored by the
for underwater launch of submarine-launched missiles. former PLA General Armaments Department.

Ԕ A classified project from 2014–2015 on maritime sensing Ԕ Research pertaining to submarine maneuverability and
technology sponsored by a unit of the former PLA General stealth, including vibration and noise reduction.
Staff Department.

Ԕ A NSFC Key Project entitled “Collaborative Monitoring

of Underwater Moving Targets Based on Dynamic
Multi-source Information.”

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 24

Footnotes
These activities are not limited to U.S. national laboratories, or even to the U.S. In early 2022, an investigation by Deutsche Welle found
1

that dozens of PRC researchers sponsored by the German government to study in Germany now conduct military research. See “How a
Humboldt Commission fellow joined China’s military commission,” Deutsche Welle, March 20, 2022, https://www.dw.com/en/how-a-humboldt-
foundation-fellow-joined-chinas-military-commission/a-61858074.

“6月23日，一个值得中国人记住的日子 [June 23, a Day Worth Remembering for Chinese People],” 中国网教育频道 [China Net Education
2

Channel], June 26, 2019, accessed June 1, 2022, http://edu.china.com.cn/2019-06/26/content_74923429.htm.

“中共中央关于建立社会主义市场经济体制若干问题的决定 [Decision of the CPC Central Committee Regarding a Number of Issues Concerning
3

the Establishment of a Socialist Market Economy]," Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, November 14, 1993, accessed May 4,
2022, http://www.people.com.cn/item/20years/newfiles/b1080.html.

“中共中央关于建立社会主义市场经济体制若干问题的决定 [Decision of the CPC Central Committee Regarding a Number of Issues Concerning
4

the Establishment of a Socialist Market Economy]”, Article 43. Article 43 of the Decision also calls for “adopting various forms, encourage
overseas talent to serve the motherland” (采取多种形式，鼓励海外人才为祖国服务) alongside the policy direction.

For example, “‘九五’期间人事系统留学人员工作规划 [The Personnel System Work Plan for Overseas Students During the ‘Ninth Five-year Plan’
5

Period],” Section 2(3); 留学人员回国工作“十一五”规划 [Eleventh “Five-year Plan” for Overseas Students Returning to Work in China], Section 2(1)
and “留学人员回国工作'十二五'规划 [Twelth “Five-year Plan” for Overseas Students Returning to Work in China],” Section 2(1).

“习近平在欧美同学会成立100周年庆祝大会上的讲话 [Xi Jinping’s Speech at the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the European and
6

American Alumni Association],” [中华人民共和国中央人民政府] The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, October 21,
2013, accessed June 2, 2022, http://www.gov.cn/ldhd/2013-10/21/content_2511441.htm.

In 2009, the PRC government launched a new initiative based on this 2001 policy – the 海外赤子为国服务行动计划[Homeland-Serving Action
7

Plan for Overseas Chinese] (hereafter Serve the Homeland Action Plan), which is still implemented each year. The 2009 initiatives governing
policy document, 关于实施海外赤子为国服务行动计划的通知 [Notice on Implementing the Serve the Homeland Action Plan], Section 1, cites
as a “policy guarantee” the 关于鼓励海外留学人员以多种形式为国服务的若干意见 [Some Opinions on Encouraging Overseas Scholars to Serve
Their Country]. The PRC Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) called the Homeland-Serving Action Plan for Overseas
Chinese a “new brand” for overseas scholars serving the country in an article on its website titled: 赤子计划：树立留学人员为国服务新品牌.
See “赤子计划：树立留学人员为国服务新品牌 [Homeland-Serving Action Plan: Establish a New Overseas Brand of Overseas Students Serving
the Country],” Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China, April 12, 2013, accessed June 1, 2022,
http://www.mohrss.gov.cn/zyjsrygls/ZYJSRYGLSgongzuodongtai/201304/t20130412_98050.html.

关于鼓励海外留学人员以多种形式为国服务的若干意见 [Some Opinions on Encouraging Overseas Scholars to Serve Their Country], Preamble.
8

关于鼓励海外留学人员以多种形式为国服务的若干意见 [Some Opinions on Encouraging Overseas Scholars to Serve Their Country], Section
9

2(1-7).

10
“‘九三学社提案：人才称号过多过滥，建议关闭“僵尸’人才计划 [Jiu San Society Proposal: Talent titles are too numerous and too excessive, it
is recommended to close ‘zombie’ talent plans]”, February 28, 2018, accessed June 5, 2022, https://www.sohu.com/a/224599002_260616.

11
Strider, "Quantum Dragon: How China Is Exploiting Western Government Funding and Research Institutes to Leapfrog in Dual-Use Quantum
Technologies,” published November 2019.

12
“聚天下英才而用之 [Gather the World’s Talents and Use Them],” People’s Daily, September 28, 2021, accessed June 1, 2022, http://politics.
people.com.cn/n1/2021/0928/c1001-32239119.html.

13
“哈尔滨工业大学公派联合培养博士研究生选派办法 [Harbin Institute of Technology’s State-Sponsored Joint Cultivation Doctorial Candidate
Selection Method],” April 13, 2022, accessed June 1, 2022, https://hitgs.hit.edu.cn/2022/0414/c3333a271812/pagem.htm.

© 2022 Strider Technologies, Inc. | striderintel.com 25

 “哈尔滨工业大学公派出国留学研究生管理办法（试行）[Measures for the Administration of State-Sponsored Graduate Students of Harbin
14

Institute of Technology (Trial Implementation)],” April 13, 2022, accessed June 1, 2022, https://hitgs.hit.edu.cn/2022/0414/c3333a271812/
pagem.htm.

Toauto, “国家公派研究生项目英文介绍, 清华大学2008年国家公派研究生项目手册-摘 [Introduction to State-Sponsored Postgraduate Programs

15

in English, Tsinghua University 2008 State-Sponsored Postgraduate Program Manual—Excerpt]", accessed June 4, 2022, .

Aslanchen, “美国洛斯阿拉莫斯国家实验室功能薄膜材料研究组招收公派联合培养研究生 [Los Alamos National Laboratory Functional Thin

16

Film Materials Research Group Recruits State-Sponsored Graduate Students for Joint Training],” February 12, 2017, accessed June 2, 2022,
http://muchong.com/html/201706/11038429.html.

“Postdoctoral Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory,” Los Alamos National Laboratory, accessed June 2, 2022, https://www.lanl.gov/
17

careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/_assets/docs/postdoc-program-brochure.pdf.

“Board of Regents Briefing Paper,” Nevada System of Higher Education, June 3, 2010, accessed June 3, 2022, https://nshe.nevada.edu/tasks/
18

sites/Nshe/assets/File/BoardOfRegents/Agendas/10/jun/Board/BOR-19.pdf.

For examples of MSS engagement with PRC study-abroad programs, see “泸州市国安局到我校了解对外交流学生情况 [Luzhou Municipal
19

Ministry of State Security came to our school to understand the situation of foreign exchange students], May 28, 2015, accessed June 5,
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26

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These activities are not limited to U.S. national laboratories, or even to the U.S. In early 2022, an investigation by Deutsche Welle found that
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In the PLA, “specialized technical officers” （专业技术军官）are one of five active duty officer career tracks in the PLA. Specialized technical
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officers tend to be concentrated in equipment and R&D-related organizations. See Kevin Pollpeter and Kenneth W. Allen, eds., The PLA as
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 “学术委员会 [Academic Committee], 北京大学湍流与复杂系统国家重点实验室 [State Key Laboratory for Turbulence & Complex Systems],
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97

on Turbulent Combustion for Engines’ was held in Mianyang],” 中国空气动力研究与发展中心吸气式高超声速技术研究中心 [China Aerodynamic
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Ibid.
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