NOTE: Before answering the following questions, read the info under “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources” below.

1. List the who, what, where and when of the news report.

2. What charges were brought against Zhengdong Cheng?

3. a) What is Mr. Cheng accused of doing?
b) In some cases, Chinese nationals are accused of giving classified information to the Chinese government because of threats to their families, or because they are actually Communist Party members. What is Mr. Cheng’s motive for giving classified information obtained from Texas A&M and NASA?

4. What is China’s Thousand Talents Program? Be specific.

5. a) What is the Trump administration’s China Initiative?
b) What do you think of this initiative?

6. a) Do you think China gives American professors access to their research, etc. in Chinese Universities? Explain your answer.
b) U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick noted that “1.4 million foreign researchers and academics are here in the U.S. for the right reasons.” What do you think about non-citizen researchers being given access to classified information, research etc.?
Too much risk of intellectual property theft, etc. or a good way to get more talented researchers into U.S. programs? Explain your answer.