U.S.-China Young Scientist Forum
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 26, 2014
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Women science professionals from ten Chinese research and policy institutions met with ten American women scientists at
the Department of State in Washington for the fifth U.S.-China Young Scientist Forum (YSF) on March 26.
The YSF is an outcome of the science and technology working group of the U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People
Exchange (CPE). The CPE aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges in the areas of education, culture, sports, women’s
issues, and science and technology between citizens of the United States and China.
The fifth YSF was co-led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Science, Space and Health Jonathan Margolis and
Chinese Counselor for Science and Technology Jianping Mei. Twenty U.S. and Chinese female science professionals
exchanged views on challenges and opportunities for female scientists such as building international networks and
research collaborations, managing work/life balance issues, and the importance of scientific mentoring.
Collaboration in science and technology is an important and dynamic area of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship dating
back to the 1979 U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, which was one of the first bilateral
agreements between the United States and China. As the landscape of science continues to become more global, the CPE
science and technology working group helps young scientists in both countries develop skills for successful
international collaboration to productively engage international colleagues in solving the world’s most pressing
problems.
Continuing the intercultural experience, the ten Chinese science professionals will meet with additional counterparts in
Portland and Eugene, Oregon, as well as in the San Francisco Bay area through the U.S. Department of State’sInternational Visitor Leadership Program, administered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
For more information on science and technology cooperation at the U.S. Department of State please see:http://www.state.gov/e/oes/stc/index.htm.
ENDS