'Spy Allegations?'... Professor Fired After Home Search Missing for 2 Weeks

Internationally Recognized Scholar in Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection
Professor's Case Rises to the Top of Baidu's Real-Time Search Rankings in China

A Chinese-American tenured professor, internationally renowned as a cybersecurity expert, was reportedly subjected to a home search by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), subsequently dismissed, and has since gone missing.

On the 3rd, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) and the U.S. IT specialist magazine Wired reported that the FBI conducted surprise searches on two locations, including the home of Professor Wang Xiaopeng and his wife in Bloomington, Indiana, on the 28th of last month, seizing items.

Professor Wang Missing. Professor Wang SNS

Professor Wang was reportedly dismissed on the same day as the home search. In response, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Bloomington chapter protested, stating that Wang’s dismissal, despite his tenure, was carried out without proper procedures.

His wife, Nianli Ma, who worked as a programmer at the same university library, also had her profile removed from the Indiana University website.

The specific charges at the time of the search were not disclosed. However, according to a statement presumed to have been written by Wang’s colleagues, the university had previously requested verification regarding whether Wang had received research funding from China without reporting it.

Professor Wang, who regularly collaborated on joint research with researchers affiliated with Chinese state institutions, had stated that while the Chinese researchers received funding from China, he himself received funding from the United States.

Joint research between American and Chinese professors is not uncommon. Wired also reported that there is no evidence suggesting Wang’s collaboration was inappropriate. Wired added, "Although the statement does not include a date or signature, it is being shared among cybersecurity scholars worldwide."

Chinese local media such as Guancha Wang and Duosang News also reported on Professor Wang. On the same day, the Chinese portal site Baidu’s real-time search rankings featured the headline "Famous Chinese-American Professor Wang Xiaopeng Missing for Two Weeks," drawing attention.

Guancha Wang reported, "The university’s related measures reportedly began in early last month, restricting access to Wang’s laboratory and other areas," adding, "His colleagues said they have not been able to contact Professor Wang for two weeks."

With neither the FBI nor the university issuing official statements, concerns have arisen that this incident may signal the revival of the 'China Initiative,' a spy-hunting operation within China. Duosang News reported, "Considering recent U.S.-China relations and Wang’s significant position in advanced technology fields, experts view his disappearance as related to so-called 'espionage' allegations."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump launched the 'China Initiative' in November 2018 during his first administration, aiming to prevent the theft of technological information by China. As a result, over 250 scientists were identified, with 112 reportedly losing their jobs. This initiative was terminated during the subsequent Joe Biden administration.

Duosang News emphasized that in recent years, due to discriminatory suppression policies by the U.S. government, an increasing number of scientists in the U.S. have chosen to return to China for work. Recently, the U.S. scientific journal Nature reported, "A survey of over 1,600 scientific researchers found that more than 75% are considering leaving the United States."

Professor Wang is internationally recognized in the fields of cybersecurity and personal data protection. He is known to have the highest number of related papers presented at the four major international academic conferences. He has been employed at Indiana University since 2004 and has led research projects totaling $23 million (approximately 33 billion KRW).