Huawei secretly backs U.S. research, awarding millions in prizes
Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant that has been blacklisted by the United States, is reportedly funding cutting-edge research at American universities, including Harvard, through a covert operation involving an independent foundation based in Washington, D.C. According to a Bloomberg report, the foundation managing the funding is the Optica Foundation, known for administering competitions in the field. The investigation reveals that Huawei has contributed funding to support hundreds of researchers across various institutions over recent years, channeling millions of dollars for academic advancement. Many researchers were under the impression that their funding came directly from the foundation's general funds, not realizing Huawei's involvement. This arrangement raises questions given the explicit clarity provided by other competitions administered by the Optica Foundation about their funding sources. Optica's CEO responded to inquiries by highlighting that anonymity in donations is not unusual, noting that many donors, including those from the U.S., prefer to remain unnamed. The foundation's stance suggests a broader acceptance of anonymous contributions, despite the unique implications surrounding Huawei's involvement due to its status with the U.S. government and its previous more open funding approaches in European countries like France and Germany. Huawei's U.S. funding strategy notably circumvents existing regulations, which include export controls that restrict the flow of technology to the company. The focus on academic research—which is intended for publication and thus falls outside these controls—allows this funding to proceed without legal barriers. It does, however, introduce ethical dilemmas for universities and researchers, particularly those institutions that have publicly distanced themselves from Huawei. In essence, although Huawei's funding of American research projects through the Optica Foundation is not illegal, it places recipients in a precarious position. The universities and researchers, some of whom have expressed a desire not to be associated with Huawei due to its contested reputation, find themselves unwittingly linked to the telecom giant. This revelation may prompt a reassessment of funding transparency and ethical standards within academic circles and beyond.