Survey finds value in China research ties despite curbs

Detailed summary

Key findings released by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney showed that the researchers are concerned that current policies "do not…

China-related collaboration is widely regarded as beneficial by Chinese-background researchers at Australian universities, even as more than half say research security policies have affected such partnerships, according to a major survey.

Key findings released by the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney showed that the researchers are concerned that current policies "do not adequately distinguish" research collaboration risks.

The institute drew on a recent survey of 109 Chinese-background researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, as well as interviews with 12 senior Chinese-Australian scientists.

Ninety-six percent of respondents agreed that collaboration with China "provides important benefits to Australia's research system", the institute said in a statement. Several interviewees said researchers in their fields are increasingly seeking access to Chinese expertise, research infrastructure and industrial capability, the statement said.

However, 57 percent of respondents reported having "avoided, changed, delayed or ended China-related collaboration because of research security policies, procedures or institutional expectations", the institute said.

Interviewees described how "anticipated scrutiny, administrative burden and uncertainty could discourage collaboration even without formal restrictions", it said.

James Laurenceson, the institute's director and coauthor of the survey findings, told China Daily that the data clearly show China now leads the world in many areas of fundamental research.

"For a country like Australia with a relatively small research innovation ecosystem, we must collaborate with the world's best to stay at the global science frontier," he said. "If we cut off collaborations with China unnecessarily, we are only hurting our own national interests."

Most respondents called for greater dialogue among government, universities and Chinese-background researchers, according to the…

Opening of the article, excerpted from China Daily. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.