Spy prevention: Chinese students criticize the ETH Zurich

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) is facing criticism for its new rules to prevent espionage. They are causing concern among Chinese students.

The new rules were announced at the end of October. According to an article in the Tages Anzeiger published Tuesday, they are criticized by Chinese students. The news portal Nau.ch reported on anonymous posters accusing the ETH Zurich of racist behavior.

In online forums, Chinese students have expressed their fear of no longer being admitted to the ETH. The ETH press service informed the Keystone-ATS agency that the new rules do not target Chinese students and that students and employees who are already at the Zurich university are not affected.

The new provisions relating to compliance with export control and sanctions provisions concern a series of countries against which the UN, the United States or the European Union have taken sanctions. This is to prevent students or collaborators from these countries from spying on military or dual-use technologies.

For admission to a master’s degree, a doctorate, a professorship or a guest stay, a security check will now be necessary, specifies the ETHZ. If this check reveals several indications of a risk of espionage, the application must be refused.

leph, ats