In the picture
Chinese researchers at the Tainshan scientific base in Antarctica [Xinhua].
The use of scientific and technological collaborations as tools to improve relations between states is the basis of science and technology diplomacy. These collaborations may involve joint research, sharing of scientific knowledge , partnership on projects to strengthen diplomatic ties, etc. China has been practicing this diplomacy for some time, benefiting from the technical advances that more advanced countries can offer and offering part of its know-how to emerging nations. However, the growing rivalry with the United States is hindering this deployment.
This style of diplomacy not only serves as a way for states to leverage these interactions and improve their own technologies, but also as an opportunity to demonstrate superiority and influence in this arena. It is increasingly common for preeminence in the technological arena to be linked with power. Today, the international scene is being especially dominated by advances in artificial intelligence, again demonstrating the power of technology and its various applications (including in the military realm), generating uncertainty in how this topic will be addressed in future diplomatic relations. The incorporation of artificial intelligence in government strategies is just one example of how technology is changing diplomacy.
Science diplomacy has the following aspects: 1) diplomacy for science, which is the use of diplomatic action to facilitate international scientific partnership , 2) the use of science as 'soft power' for promote diplomatic objectives, and 3) direct support to experts to advise diplomatic action. These three aspects are growing at the same pace as the remnants of globalization. The partnership scientific and technological also applies to the so-called 'era of partnership'.
How China's science and technology diplomacy works
In China, technological and scientific diplomacy is used to strengthen its global position in the scientific environment and improve its relations with other states. Being in an advantageous position with respect to other countries, China is one of the major references in the technological and scientific field. Projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in which they collaborate on infrastructure projects together with other states, are just one example of this.
Although there is no formal 'science diplomacy' in the Chinese government, public diplomacy in China is largely based on cultural norms rather than legal norms as in Western states. Science and technology have been fundamental parts of Chinese soft power since the 1970s, when China sought access to better technologies in the international market. Since then it has functioned as an extension of public diplomacy, including science centers in Chinese embassies in 144 countries, as well as association with ministries and academies involved in international scientific activities, and sending thousands of Chinese students and scholars abroad with purpose to collaborate on research and projects. Initially, China started scientific collaboration mainly with Eastern European countries due to China's previous relationship with the Soviet Union. Decades later China began to expand its diplomatic horizons and collaborate with Western countries alike.
In this way, Chinese companies are currently invading global markets through companies such as Huawei and Xiaomi, and on the other hand, dominating the social networking sector with the great success of Tik Tok. Consequently, technology has become one of the main sources of Chinese influence in its foreign policy, being able to access in this way societies that have traditionally been more distant from Asian culture and influence.
The skill between USA and China
The skill for international leadership is taking a different form from what has been seen in recent decades, when military force and Economics were the main drivers of power. New modes of conflict revolving around technology and cyberspace (leaks, 'fake news', cyber attacks, etc.) are becoming increasingly relevant. This has also affected the diplomatic relationship and the skill between China and the United States, which encompasses the fields of artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, space technology, among others. Both countries invest a significant amount of resources in the research and development of these technologies, seeking to lead the world in this field. An example of this scientific-technological skill for power between the United States and the People's Republic of China was the degree program production of vaccines against COVID-19. This demonstrates the importance of science and technology as a diplomatic component for states.
Since the agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between the United States and China signed in 1979, both countries agreed to a dynamic of partnership in the scientific and technological field in order to mutually benefit from joint research and information exchanges, mainly in the agriculture, livestock, health and space sectors. This agreement came to an end in 2018 at the height of the trade war between the two countries, when China stopped renewing the agreement. Since then, the clashes between Washington and Beijing have only grown, affecting dozens of scientists and engineers of both nationalities due to this referent hostile environment. Most of them say they "do not feel safe" and are looking for new opportunities in other countries.
The Joe Biden Administration used the excuse of protecting national security to limit U.S. science and technology agreements with China, in addition to continuing to impose trade sanctions and highlighting tensions related to Taiwan. In recent months, the lack of trust between the two sides has led to intensified export controls on sophisticated technologies, further complicating the partnership technology.
In the midst of diplomatic friction, the White House has made reference letter to cyber attacks on the websites of the US State and Commerce department by Chinese hackers, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled in February this year a visit to China due to the Chinese 'spy balloon' incident. Moments of acrimony, however, are also combined with occasions of rapprochement, as was the meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November 2022 during the G-20 summit in Bali and the most recent, in November 2023, at the framework APEC summit in San Francisco. There have also been other diplomatic contacts in an effort to not further deteriorate the already fragile relationship between the two countries, trying to keep channels of communication open between the two capitals and prevent another style of trade war like the one in 2018 from happening. Despite the skill, there are also many cases of scientificpartnership between the two countries. NASA has just bypassed its own rules to ask for access to lunar samples obtained by China in the Chang'e-5 expedition.
Over the decades, the Asian giant has used technology and science as a bridge to improve its relations with other countries. However, the current status of China-U.S. relations has difficulties aggravated by political and economic tensions. Science diplomacy continues to be a space for dialogue and building new relationships, offering opportunities to overcome differences and contribute to the scientific advances of both. How the two nations handle this intersection between politics and technology could have a significant impact on the current status and future direction of global science partnership .