Studsvik does business – despite sanctions • “Undermining Sweden’s security”
Studsvik’s employees have for several years worked as researchers for the Chinese dictatorship’s nuclear weapons company CNNC. At the same time that Studsvik sells technology to the controversial company.
– This undermines Sweden’s security, says security policy debater Patrik Oksanen.
Cold facts have today revealed that Studsvik’s longtime employees simultaneously worked for the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front and participated in a regime-controlled research network that is accused of industrial espionage.
Studsvik’s employees sit on even more chairs. Since at least 2013, he has been doing research for a controversial actor – the Chinese dictatorship’s nuclear weapons company CNNC. Studsvik’s employee is described by the Communist Party’s Unity Front, Chinese universities and regime-controlled media as a prominent researcher and senior expert at CNNC’s research institute CIAE.
– Until it can be established otherwise, it should probably be considered that all activities in Studsvik are cleared and known to China, says Patrik Oksanen.
Controversial deals
At the same time that Studsvik’s employees conduct research for CNNC, Studsvik sells civil technology to the Chinese company. Studsvik describes CNNC itself as a repeat customer, and the facility in Nyköping conducts tests of civil nuclear material for CNNC.
The deals are inherently controversial because CNNC does not exclusively develop civilian nuclear power. The company is also central to China’s military nuclear weapons program. The Chinese dictatorship is expanding its arsenal of nuclear weapons at a faster rate than any other country in the world.
Since 2020, the United States is targeting CNNC with sanctions due to the company’s role in the development of weapons of mass destruction. The four major Swedish banks have also put the company on their blacklists of companies they do not invest in. The fact that Studsvik made a different assessment of CNNC is now met with harsh criticism.
– The big problem is that a European company in the nuclear power sector thought it was a good idea to cooperate with a state-owned Chinese company that ensures that civil technology can be used for military purposes. This is something that Europe can no longer afford, says leading sinologist Mareike Ohlberg at The German Marshall Fund.
No interview
Studsvik has so far not appeared for any interview regarding his employee who is active in the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front and does research for the regime’s nuclear weapons company. The company states in a written response to Kalla facts that the business with CNNC only concerns civil nuclear power and that it complies with the applicable regulations. Studsvik’s employees have not answered any questions.