Pentagon expands blacklist to include China’s top civilian universities

The Pentagon has added Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University to a list of foreign institutions deemed a threat to US national security, extending Washington’s research-security crackdown to two of China’s most prestigious civilian universities.

The updated list identifies 88 institutions in mainland China and bars US Department of Defence-funded researchers from collaborating with them, or using their equipment, under restrictions taking effect in the 2026 financial year.

The additions mark a widening of Washington’s campaign against what it describes as unwanted Chinese influence and technology transfer in American research.

While the list has long included People’s Liberation Army academies and universities closely associated with China’s defence industry, its expansion to Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and other prominent civilian institutions could affect a much broader network of scientific partnerships.

Known as the Section 1286 list, the register was created under the 2019 National Defence Authorisation Act to identify foreign universities and research institutions that the Pentagon says have engaged in activities posing risks to US-funded research and national security.

Those concerns can include the transfer of sensitive technology or expertise, links to foreign military or intelligence bodies and participation in state-backed talent-recruitment programmes.