1019 



This exchange agreement appears to represent a significant first 

 step toward the beginning of scientific and technical exchange activi- 

 ties with the PRC. First, it indicates that the PRC is making con- 

 scious efforts to expose its scientific and technical personnel to Western 

 activities even in the absence of diplomatic relations.*^^ Related to 

 this new emphasis in Chinese policy is the fact that the Chinese signed 

 an agreement with the CSCPRC despite its NAS affiliation, and did 

 not require the Academ}' to sever its relations mth Taiwan, as pre- 

 viously desired. A spokesman for the Committee reports that the 

 Chinese attitude toward this obstacle had softened considerably in 

 recent months 



A second important implication of the agreement is the absence of a 

 requirement for reciprocity in subjects for exchange, a requirement 

 which the vSoviets and Eastern Europeans have insisted upon in their 

 inter-Academy agreements with the United States. The absence of 

 such a requirement has two ramifications. It may represent a diplo- 

 matic precedent applicable to future exchange agreements. But 

 probably more important, it represents recognition by the scientists 

 who concluded the agreement of (1) the different types and levels of 

 scientific excellence in the two nations and (2) the Chinese emphasis 

 on applied science and technology, rather than basic research and 

 development.**® 



Another implication of the agreement is the importance of the 

 diplomatic role played by the National Academy of Sciences, which 

 is serving, in effect, as a semi-official agent of the U.S. Government, 

 while at the same time representing the American scientific community, 

 in establishing initial exchange agreements with the PRC. Here again, 

 this arrangement reflects political and scientific conditions in both 

 countries. The quasi-governmental nature of the arrangements on the 

 American side is indicated since the bulk of the funding for the 

 CSCPRC comes from Government sources The Office of International 

 Programs of the National Science Foundation awarded the CSCPRC 

 $350,000 during the fiscal year 1973."^^ The Bureau of Educational 

 and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State, provided additional 

 support for the Committee, ^\ith private sources also contributing 

 funds. 



With respect to the governmental nature of the agreement on the 

 Chinese side, a CSCPRC official reported that while negotiations 

 behind the agreement were enhanced by the prestigious and non- 

 governmental character of the American delegation, the Chinese 

 appeared to have no reservations about sponsoring or receiving 

 Government-agency personnel on either side. (However all American 

 agency personnel who have been exchanged thus far, have gone in a 

 private rather than an official capacity.) This reflects, in part, the 

 conditions of scientific activity and governance in China. The Chinese 

 signatory to the agreement, the Chinese Scientific and Technical 

 Association, is composed of a* variety of scientific and technical 

 professional groups. Although there is little basic research in China, 

 the locus of most "hard" science and technology is in the Chinese 



<85 For an assessment of the significance of this olsjective before, during and after the cultural revolution, 

 see: Leo A. Orleans, " Research and Development in Communist China," Science 14, no. 157 (July 28, 1967), 

 pp. 392-400. Also: Leo A. Orleans, "China's Science and Technology: Continuity and Innovation," In U.S., 

 Congress, Joint Economic Committee, People's Republic of China: An Economic Assessment: A Compendium 

 of Papers, 92d Cong 2d sess.. May 18, 1972, pp. 185-219. 



<" See the two items by Orleans, op. cit. 



*^ Interview, Dr. Max Helbnann, NSF, op. cit. 



