By Benjamin David Baker
Norway’s decision to expel a Chinese researcher on “national security” grounds keeps Sino-Norwegian relations cool.
The strange saga of China’s ongoing quarrel with Norway continues. On January 23, two researchers at the University of Agder in Southern Norway, one Chinese and one non-specified “European,” were expelled from the country after being accused of being a “risk to national security.” Although no details have been offered by the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), the two scholars were apparently affiliated with an unnamed Chinese university with close connections to the People’s Liberation Army. According to the Norwegian state media, the two men were working on wind-power, which can be applied to the development of advanced weapons technology, notably missiles.
Unsurprisingly, both the researchers and the Chinese government deny the charges. Chinese MFA spokesman Hong Lei stated, “We think that the allegations are unfounded and violated the basic rights and interests of the relevant Chinese scholar. It also undermines Norway’s academic image.” Ma Qiang, political councilor at Beijing’s embassy in Oslo, has further warned that the incident “will have serious consequences for China and Norway’s bilateral relationship.”
Just in case Beijing thought that this was a one-off event, on February 4, the Norwegian authorities clarified what they thought of Chinese intelligence operations. In its annual, publicly available national threat assessment (PDF), the Norwegian PST explicitly mentioned China as a “non-allied state with the capabilities to conduct intelligence operations in Norway.” Although Russia and Iran were, as usual, mentioned as the prime suspects for intelligence operations in Norway, this is the first time that China has been mentioned by name. The Chinese again responded with predictable outrage, accusing Oslo of retaining a “Cold War mentality.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat