Hai Kexian spoke with academics to find the severity of decoupling in research collaboration
Despite the conclusion of the US government's China Initiative, the trend of decoupling academic research collaborations between the US and China persists. While caution surrounds the sharing of national security-related technologies, collaboration in broader scientific research areas, like cancer treatment, is advocated. The departure of Chinese scholars from US institutions and a decline in Chinese students studying in the US underscore this shift. This brain drain poses concerns for the US's innovation ecosystem. Additionally, the US's share of highly cited researchers has decreased, while China's has risen. Academics reducing their funding applications to US institutes may lead to a decline in published papers under US affiliations, affecting scientific research output. The complex nature of knowledge transfer, especially in early-stage research, poses challenges in distinguishing shareable knowledge.
Both countries have expanded their definition of national security, indicating continued vigilance in sensitive areas like technology. However, there's consensus on the need for continued collaboration in non-sensitive sectors. A clear delineation of sensitive technologies is crucial to safeguarding national security while fostering collaboration in other areas. Restrictions on research collaboration may slow knowledge transfer but not impede opponents' long-term development. In the future, a model of "coopetition" between China and the US in research and education is anticipated, acknowledging their borderless nature. This approach recognizes that, while competition may drive technological advancement, collaboration fosters mutual benefit and innovation.
