Ireland’s national security issues, particularly concerning authoritarian countries like Russia and China, were at the centre of discussions during a conference concerning Ireland’s relationship with China. Ben Tonra, a professor at UCD, highlighted that Ireland’s lack of national security clearance system hinders its participation in joint EU funding applications for security and defence-related projects. Consequently, Irish academics are barred from EU security groups since they cannot obtain security clearance.
Tonra emphasised that Ireland’s national security problem was not limited to China, but had a broader impact, particularly towards authoritarian regimes. He criticised the Irish government for not robustly addressing these issues.
He pointed out that even as Ireland strives to draw in investments from China and the US, it paradoxically presents itself as the torchbearer for human rights, whilst issuing blanket condemnations of human rights breaches in China. However, Ireland’s global portrayal could be seen as hypocritical, given its lack of an official office in Taiwan, whilst claiming to support smaller nations.
In his remarks, Tonra suggested that, “Ireland seeks to extract maximal benefits from the system”. Commenting on a similar note, Alexander Davey, an analyst at the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies, raised questions about Irish universities’ dealings with China, especially given the Chinese government’s demand that students studying overseas adhere to Chinese laws.
Prof Tonra further explained that the financial pressure faced by Irish universities is a driving force behind their focus towards China — a significant export market. There are, however, concerns that rising academic voices lecturing on China may have to self-censor to avoid potential backlash.
Following a recent university gathering discussing matters of Chinese involvement in Xinjiang, the professor noted that he had received threat-containing emails from zealous Chinese students, all bearing strikingly similar language. They insinuated reporting him to the university administration over certain comments and tweets he had made in relation to the topic.
Responding to these emails, the professor kept his replies concise, expressing concern that less experienced faculty might feel apprehensive about contract security, should the university receive complaints from fervent Chinese students over classroom discussions.
Throughout the conference, co-organised by UCD and the University of Notre Dame, an array of participants discussed the potentiality of conflict ensueing between the US and China, fueled by existing contentions over Taiwan and other regions.