Speaker: David Zweig, Professor Emeritus, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

In the mid-1990s, China’s hope for a “reverse brain drain” of overseas scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs stalled. So, in 2001, Jiang Zemin introduced China’s ‘Diaspora Option,’ to encourage PRC-born Chinese living abroad to “serve the country” without “returning to the country.” Through a multipronged array of programs organized by government ministries and the CCP, these former citizens have transferred their knowledge back home, some to repay or strengthen their former homeland, others from self-interest.

In 2018, the Trump Administration declared war on China’s efforts to access this information through the “China Initiative.” Hundreds of Chinese were investigated, their research was disrupted, and more than 100 were fired. Yet almost none were found guilty of espionage or theft of intellectual property.

This seminar documents China’s “over-the-top” effort to gain the help of these talented Chinese, as well as the US government’s harsh effort to disrupt the transfer of US technology to China. It tells the stories of unknown victims of that campaign. It also highlights the harm this war has brought to Sino-American academic exchanges and scientific collaboration.