Can science bridge the US-China trust gap? Maybe with new rules, researchers say

Scientific collaboration between the United States and China could serve as a stabilizing force in their complex relationship, but maintaining these ties requires navigating intense high-tech competition with clearly defined boundaries and continuous communication, according to researchers.

A research paper published on July 15 in the China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies by Zhao Minghao and Chen Yutong of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies suggests that the U.S. and China must move beyond a simple dichotomy of competition versus cooperation. Instead, they advocate for narrower areas of collaboration and sustained dialogue to preserve scientific links.

This need for careful management comes against a backdrop of increasing tension. The U.S. launched its "China Initiative" in 2018, primarily to counter suspected theft of trade secrets and intellectual property. A significant consequence of this initiative was a substantial number of U.S.-trained Chinese scientists returning to China, severing many established scientific connections.

The impact extends to academic exchanges. The number of Chinese students studying in the U.S. has seen a steady decline, falling from a peak of over 372,000 in the 2019-20 academic year to approximately 265,000 in 2024-25. Similarly, the number of American students studying in China has dwindled to under 2,000, mostly in short-term programs, a sharp decrease from around 11,000 in 2019.

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To get there, Beijing and Washington will need to keep in continuous contact and have clearly defined boundaries, with narrower areas of collaboration.