After years of suffering, Dr. Tao breathed a sigh of relief as his nightmare under the China Initiative came to an end. However, the threat of the programme’s revival looms large if Trump wins the upcoming US presidential election.
The Initiative, aimed at combating espionage, has faced criticism for targeting innocent scientists and damaging research collaborations between the US and China.
Although officially terminated in 2022, concerns remain as surveillance practices persist, impacting Chinese-American academics disproportionately.
The China Initiative has not only disrupted careers but also led to a chilling effect on scientific collaboration between the two countries, as highlighted in a recent survey.
While the China Initiative has disrupted lives, the quest for security should not justify discrimination and mistreatment, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and justice for all.