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Executive Secretaries’ Meeting - Minutes U.S.-China Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological
Cooperation Guilin,
China November 12-14, 2002 Jin Ju, Deputy Director-General of the
Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MOST) of the People's Republic of China, and Kay Anske, Director
of the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation of the Department of
State of the United States of America, in their capacity as Executive
Secretary for their respective sides, co-chaired the Executive Secretaries’
Meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological
Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the ESM), November 12-14 in Guilin,
China. The Joint Commission was
established by the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Cooperation
in Science and Technology, signed at Washington, D.C., on January 31, 1979,
to plan, coordinate, monitor and facilitate bilateral cooperation in science
and technology. The role of this ESM is to translate into concrete actions
the principles and framework suggested at the 10th Joint
Commission Meeting (JCM) held April 25-26, 2002 in Beijing. There were 46 participants representing government agencies from the U.S. and China. Name lists of the delegations and the agenda are attached to these minutes as appendices. The meeting was divided into eight sessions: 1) Opening; 2) Review and comments on U.S.-China cooperation; 3) Overview of active protocols; 4) Discussion of priority areas from the April 2002 JCM; 5) Role of the ESM; 6) Possible new areas for cooperation; 7) Summary reports from Session 4; and 8) Additional discussion. Session I – Opening Mr. Jin opened the ESM by calling for action-oriented, forward-looking contributions from all the participants. Ms. Anske noted the maturity and scope of science and technology (S&T) cooperative activities and said it is natural for some areas of cooperation to thrive and other areas to outlive their usefulness. Both sides agreed that the growing U.S.-China S&T cooperation is successful, mutually beneficial and promotes good bilateral relations and mutual understanding. Session II –
Review and Comments on U.S.-China S&T Cooperation Mr. Jin said that the April JCM gave a clear direction to S&T policy and identified priority areas for cooperation. Mr. Jin described the progress that has been made in some of these priority areas, and said that the ESM should focus on implementing actions in JCM priority areas. Mr. Jin referred to the protocols as vertical integration of S&T policy, and the JCM priority areas as horizontal integration, and that together the protocols and priority areas form a matrix for S&T cooperation. Mr. Jin said that while S&T cooperation is good, there is still much room for expansion. He also called for working together to minimize difficulties with visa issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegate followed Mr. Jin’s presentation by briefing the meeting on general bilateral relations between the two countries. An U.S. Embassy representative extended greetings from the U.S. Ambassador to China, noting that the ESM is an important forum for implementing U.S.-China cooperative activities. Session III –
Overview of Active Protocols Protocols in the following areas were reviewed: (1) Agriculture; (2) Oceans and Fisheries; (3) Atmospheric Science; (4) Water Resources; (5) Basic Science; (6) Seismology; (7) Natural Protection and Conservation; (8) Health; (9) Transportation; (10) Quantitative Standards; (11) High Energy Physics; (12) Surveying and Mapping; (13) Energy Resources; (14) Civil Industrial Technologies; (15) Scientific Information; (16) Nuclear Physics; and (17) the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology Agreement. In each of these areas, participants briefly reviewed recent accomplishments, identified current concerns, and mentioned possible areas for future cooperation. Several protocols have been renewed recently or will be renewed in the near future. Implementation has varied. Some protocols are very active and growing, others are inactive or in a steady state. Questions were raised on the best way to coordinate projects to minimize redundancy while preserving sufficient flexibility in the process. Some delegates suggested that further discussion of standardized reporting and data would be useful. Several Chinese delegates mentioned that problems with obtaining U.S. visas have become a serious obstacle to U.S.-China cooperation. The Ministry of Communications expressed regret over the stagnation of the Communications Protocol, and expressed their interest in more active concrete cooperation. Session IV – Discussion of JCM Priority Areas The ESM split into groups for in-depth discussion of seven priority areas identified at the JCM, as well as the area of water resources, added at the request of the U.S. side. The areas are: (1) Agriculture Science and Technology; (2) Nanotechnology; (3) Water Resources; (4) Science Education; (5) Clean Energy; (6) Information Technology; (7) Global Change; and (8) Genomics. Oral reports were presented in Session VII. Detailed reports, once reviewed and approved by the chairpersons of the respective groups, will be presented in an annex to these minutes and are an integral part of this document. Session V – Role
of the ESM Ms. Anske said that the JCM has changed its role to focus more on high-level policy issues, and consequently the ESM’s role is now to translate those principles into details and actions. Mr. Jin said that the ESM should be a driving force for implementation and should be forward-looking and action-oriented. He suggested a flexible timetable for future ESM’s based on needs at the time. Ms. Anske suggested that a standardized format for S&T Protocols be developed, and that this would assist in preparation. Mr. Jin also said that the ESM should do more outreach to inform other agencies and levels about its work. He noted the institutional differences between the U.S. and other countries in funding S&T, stressed the need for flexibility on both sides, and called for exploring ways to more rationally use existing funding. It was suggested that the ESM analyze why some protocols are successful and others are not. Mr. Jin commented that the in-depth discussion of JCM priority area was a successful experiment. Ms. Anske agreed with Mr. Jin’s comments on outreach. One delegate commented that distribution of relevant materials prior to the ESM would make the time spent at the ESM more effective. Session VI –
Possible New Areas for Cooperation, and Discussion of Current Issues and
Problems: MOST presented its plans to promote data sharing in basic science through policies, standards, methods, and regulations. The U.S. side expressed interest in this idea. There was general agreement that data sharing is an important concept, and that specific projects should be developed through a working group, perhaps with a focus on data access policy.USDA explained the “joint center” mechanism that USDA used to create the Yangling Joint Center on Soil and Water Conservation and Environmental Protection.The U.S. Embassy briefed the meeting on visa problems. He said there are three types of visa problems: 1) problems stemming from the “Foreign Affairs Office” system, where the location of a passport cannot be easily determined because it passes through so many hands; 2) problems related to the requirement under U.S. law that applicants demonstrate that they are not intending to immigrate (“214b” problem), and 3) the new requirement that applicants in certain job categories receive an affirmative clearance from Washington. Some difficulties stem from problems in transitioning to the new policies, and those problems should be diminishing. Session VII –
Summary Reports from “Break-Out” Sessions Oral reports were presented by one co-chair from each of the discussion groups in Session IV. Written reports from each session are attached to these minutes. Some common themes from the reports: continued S&T cooperation is very valuable to both sides; some new agreements are almost ready to be signed; many new projects are being developed; and, projects need to approved and coordinated internally before commitments can be made. Several groups proposed that expert-level working groups convene to develop specific proposals. Information on points of contact was exchanged, and next steps will be developed in consultation between the relevant points of contact. The role of industry is an issue that needs to be considered in many S&T projects. Session VIII –
Questions, Answers, and General Discussion One issue is the status of the Water Resources Working Group. USDA promised to review this issue and report back to the Chinese side. The U.S. Embassy requested additional consultation on clearances for research vessels. MOST noted that China welcomes joint U.S.-China proposals to its “973” research program. The State Forestry Administration expressed the hope to see representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at future ESM’s. A MOST delegate suggested that detailed project proposals be distributed prior to future ESM’s. Conclusions:
The Executive Secretaries agreed that through the efforts of both delegations and supporting staff, the ESM was productive and useful, that progress had been made in many areas, and that frank discussion of problems and unresolved issues had taken place. There have been accomplishments, but much can still be done to develop and improve on the work that has been done. Problems will be faced with a positive attitude. The U.S. side looks forward to welcoming the Chinese delegation to the next ESM in the U.S. The S&T relationship between China and the U.S. is broad and deep, contributes to the welfare of both societies, and to their mutual respect and friendship. These minutes were approved and signed by the leaders of the two delegations at the conclusion of the ESM at Guilin on November 14, 2002. For the United States of America: For the People's Republic of China: Kay Anske Jin Ju |