Dear Honorable Speaker of the House, the Honorable Majority Leader of the Senate, and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate,
We, the Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE, www.aaase.org), are writing to express our concerns about the recently passed House Bill H.R.1398 - Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Act of 2024. The mission of AAASE is to advance the US leadership in science and technology and advocate for the rights of Asian Americans. As a leading organization representing Asian American scientists and engineers across the United States, we are very concerned that the Asian American community may become the target of discrimination and that it may undermine the US leadership in science and engineering once this Bill is enacted and feel it is important to communicate three critical points to you.
First, we, Asian American Scientists and Engineers, fully support the need to safeguard national security and protect American innovation. Like other immigrants in this country, we have made critical contributions in establishing and advancing American leadership in science and technology. As the world faces many unprecedented challenges, we wholeheartedly support the Congress' efforts to uphold America's global leadership in scientific research and technological innovation. We believe that America's freedom, openness, and liberty create the perfect scientific discovery and technological advancement environment. We have thrived in this setting and are dedicated to safeguarding it from foreign malign influence.
However, we are deeply concerned that this piece of legislation, if enacted in practice, might lead to racial or national-origin profiling and discrimination against American scientists and engineers originally from mainland China and their descendants and undermine the US’ technology competitiveness in attracting and keeping talents in this country. Even though the bill has renamed the former "China Initiative" to the "CCP Program", it still risks creating a presumption (albeit a rebuttable one) that all American scientists and engineers of Chinese origin are suspicious until proven innocent. According to statistics compiled by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of the 69 scientist and engineer defendants sued under the China Initiative, 53 (or 77%) are of Chinese heritage1 . This high ratio stands in stark contrast to merely 13% of the American STEM workforce that are Asian American2 , including Chinese and other Asian Americans. This disproportionate targeting of American scientists and engineers of Chinese heritage contradicts the principle of evidence-based investigation that law enforcement should adhere to, violating the equal protection guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Given our community's past experiences of unfair targeting and marginalization under the former "China Initiative", we feel compelled to emphasize the harmful potential consequences if the "CCP Program" is implemented.
Third, creating a special government program by singling out one particular foreign country for law enforcement purposes has not proven to be an effective approach, and there is no reason to believe that a rerun of something that has already failed will lead to a different outcome, especially when a viable alternative has proven to be working. According to statistics compiled by MIT as cited above, under the previous China Initiative, the DOJ has neither officially defined the China Initiative nor explained what led it to label a case as part of the initiative; the initiative’s focus quickly drifted away from economic espionage and hacking cases to “research integrity” issues, such as failures to fully disclose foreign affiliations on reporting forms; a significant number of research integrity cases ended up being dropped or dismissed; only about a quarter of people and institutions charged under the China Initiative have been convicted; many cases have little or no obvious connection to national security or the theft of trade secrets. Meanwhile, since the China Initiative itself ended, the DOJ has continued to investigate and prosecute China-related cases– along with cases related to all other foreign countries–under the regular national security programs and has yielded superior results.
We appreciate your attention to these concerns and are willing to engage in constructive dialogue to find a solution that both protects national interests and upholds the values of individual liberty and constitutional rights.
Sincerely,
X. Edward Guo
President, Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering
Stanley Dicker Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Medical Sciences (In Medicine)
Columbia University in New York City
On behalf of the Board of Directors of AAASE and the Junior Board of AAASE
1 https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/12/02/1039397/china-initiative-database-doj/
2 https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298653&WT.mc_id=USNSF_65&WT.mc_ev=click
About Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE)
The Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) (www.aaase.org) is a leading organization dedicated to promoting leadership, scientific excellence, and advocacy for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Established with the mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders, AAASE focuses on advancing the leadership of AAPI individuals in science and technology within the United States. The organization also advocates for the rights, inclusion, and representation of AAPI professionals, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions recognized across academic, industrial, and governmental sectors.
AAASE’s mission is supported by a diverse membership base, including academics, professionals, and students passionate about fostering leadership and inclusion in STEM. The organization offers several initiatives to nurture young talent, particularly through its programs focusing on high school and college students. One of AAASE’s flagship programs is its Summer Academy, hosted at prestigious universities like Princeton, Caltech, and Stanford, where high school students participate in leadership panels, project mentoring, and communication training. Additionally, AAASE’s Laboratory Internship Program provides students with hands-on research experience at leading institutions such as MIT, Columbia University, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, preparing them for future careers in science and engineering. These programs are designed to foster an interest in STEM, empower young AAPI individuals, and guide them toward leadership roles.
The organization also emphasizes advocacy for justice and inclusiveness for the AAPI community. It actively works to combat discrimination, raise awareness about AAPI culture and history, and advocate for equity in leadership positions nationwide. Through its Stop Asian Hate and Discrimination initiative, AAASE engages with policymakers and communities to address hate crimes and promote inclusivity. Furthermore, AAASE promotes AAPI leadership in public service and ensures that AAPI voices are represented at the highest levels of government and industry.
In addition to its educational and advocacy work, AAASE organizes distinguished lectures featuring Nobel laureates, leading scientists, and innovators who share their knowledge and experiences. The organization also honors excellence through its AAASE Academy Fellow Program, which recognizes 100 distinguished AAPI scientists and engineers for their groundbreaking contributions to their respective fields. The first 23 Inaugural Fellows, including Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate and former Secretary of Energy, will be inducted at our Inaugural Annual Summit that will be held from November 15th to 17th at the National Academy of Sciences Beckman Center, Irvine, California. This recognition not only highlights their achievements but also serves to inspire the next generation of AAPI leaders.
AAASE’s comprehensive approach to leadership development, inclusivity, and scientific advancement reflects its commitment to creating a supportive environment for AAPI scientists and engineers. By empowering young talent, advocating for equity, and fostering a collaborative scientific community, AAASE is helping to shape the future of AAPI leadership in science and technology while contributing to the broader mission of advancing humanity through STEM.
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