Turzanski On Temple U. Prof Accused Of Selling Research To China: We Should Be Worried, The Chinese Own Everything
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ed Turzanski -- a John Templeton Fellow, co-chairman of the Center For the Study of Terrorism, and professor at La Salle University -- spoke with Talk Radio 1210 WPHT morning host Chris Stigall about Xioaxing Xi, Temple University's Head of the Physics Department, who is accused of selling his research to the Chinese government.
"The technology gap between us and our adversaries is closing. That is a national security concern, as is the theft of hundreds of billions from the U.S. Economy each year," Turzanski says.
Turzanski feels that if people actually knew how the selling of information and technology like this affected them, there would be outrage.
"This loss of $350 billion a year is built into the cost of everything we acquire. So, if there's a gadget out there that you're purchasing or if there's some advanced technology in your car or in something else in your household or in your business, that theft is part of the price of whatever you're acquiring. That's what makes it so insidious. You don't see the cost -- if it was broken out, more people would be outraged, and they would demand a more persistent naming of China and going after China for all they have done."
If and when the American public is made aware that the theft to China is the origin behind an increased cost, Turzanski feels that the only way to do something about it is by putting pressure on the Chinese government.
"You need to raise the temperature on the Chinese by putting information in the hands of American allies and say, 'It's happening to you as well as to us.' Also, you need to engage Congress in a way so that both Democrats and Republicans are screaming about this so that the heat is turned up on the Chinese in every conceivable way. In the event you do have to engage in some sort of retaliatory action, [having] the American people on your side and the key is to build public support for whatever you're going to do...Keep in mind, the Chinese own everything."
