December 22, 2021
1 min read

Harvard professor found guilty of hiding China ties

The 62-year-old was charged in 2020 as part of a US campaign to counter economic espionage from China…reports Asian Lite News

A Harvard University professor has been convicted of hiding ties to a China-run recruitment programme, BBC reported.

Charles Lieber was found guilty of making false statements to authorities, filing false tax returns and failing to report a Chinese bank account. His sentencing date is yet to be decided.

The 62-year-old was charged in 2020 as part of a US campaign to counter economic espionage from China, the report said.

However, some critics say this campaign harms academic research.

Prosecutors in Boston said Lieber knowingly hid his involvement in China’s “Thousand Talents Plan”, which aims to attract foreign research specialists. It has been flagged by the US as a security concern in the past, the report said.

Lieber, a former head of Harvard’s department of chemistry and chemical biology, had in 2011 joined China’s Wuhan University of Technology as a scientist.

He was given a monthly salary of $50,000, in addition to living expenses of up to $158,000 for this role.

The filings say he was also given more than $1.5 m to establish a research lab at the university and, in return, was expected to work for the university, applying for patents and publishing articles in its name.

Participation in the programme is not a crime. However prosecutors said Lieber had lied to authorities about his participation, his affiliation with the university in Wuhan, and failed to declare income earned in China, the report said.

He had previously been awarded $15 m in grants from the US National Institute of Health and the US Department of Defence.

Recipients of these grants have to disclose any conflicts of interest, including financial support from foreign governments or organisations, the report said.

ALSO READ: China Manipulates Social Media

Previous Story

Australia imposes restrictions on indigenous communities to protect from Covid

Next Story

OIC MEET ON KABUL: Pak Plot Fails To Gain Sympathy

Latest from China

Great Soybean Standoff

Trump’s planned meeting with Xi links soybean trade disputes to wider US-China tensions, as American military officials warn of growing threats from both Beijing and Pyongyang….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald

Beijing urges calm in Nepal

China urges calm as Nepal reels from violent protests, mass prison breaks, and PM Oli’s resignation, leaving the Himalayan nation battling political upheaval and security chaos….reports Asian Lite news Beijing on Wednesday

Uyghurs Face ‘More Repression, No Relief’

CFU stressed that, instead of addressing the UN’s recommendations, Beijing has escalated its repression…reports Asian Lite News On August 31, 2025, Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) marked the third anniversary of the United

Putin and Kim join Xi’s show of might

China marked 80 years since WWII’s end with a massive military parade in Beijing, where Xi pledged peace and strength, while Putin and Kim stood in solidarity….reports Asian Lite News China staged
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Jaishankar Shoots Down Trump’s Ceasefire Claim

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has rejected former US President

Biden Faces Criticism Over Stance on Gaza Conflict

One issue expected to haunt Biden with younger Black voters