The Alberta government has asked the province's four comprehensive academic and research universities to pause any new partnerships with links to the Chinese government and to review its existing relationships. "I am deeply concerned about the potential theft of Canadian intellectual property and further concerned that research partnerships with the People's Republic of China may be used by Chinese military and intelligence agencies," said Nicolaides in an emailed statement. "More needs to be done to curb foreign state infiltration into our research and innovation centres, including our post-secondary institutions." The Chinese government's access to intellectual property through university partnerships has been hotly debated in Australia, the U.S. and, to some degree, in Canada as well. A spokesperson for the U of C said the school had received the letter, but had no comment at this time.

Source: CBC News May 24, 2021 18:51 UTC