Lawmakers Call for Ban on Chinese Presence in US Labs Amid AI Race

A group of US senators has urged a ban on Chinese citizens in American national labs, citing security risks amid rising AI development. They highlight complications in vetting applicants and emphasize the potential outflow of sensitive research to China as a critical issue.

In a significant move underscoring national security concerns, eleven US senators, including Tom Cotton and Mike Lee, have called on Energy Secretary Chris Wright to enforce a complete prohibition of Chinese nationals working in America's national laboratories. The senators argue that such a measure is necessary to protect the United States' strategic advantage in the global AI landscape, as revealed by The Epoch Times.

The Department of Energy, which oversees 17 national labs, is under scrutiny following President Trump's directive in 2025 to expedite AI development via the "Genesis Mission," akin to the Manhattan Project. Nonetheless, senators express apprehension over extensive access granted to Chinese nationals, some 3,200 of whom received clearance in 2024, excluding permanent residents.

According to Freedom House and cited reports by The Epoch Times, China's stringent national security laws may compel Chinese citizens to assist intelligence operations, raising doubts about the effectiveness of vetting protocols. An investigative report unveiled collaborations between US-funded research and Chinese institutions, effectively compromising critical fields like AI and quantum computing.