International science and technology exchange and cooperation, constituting a significant part in China's "open to the outside world" policy, is not only an important measure for developing the Chinese economy and science and technology, but also a major link in developing friendly relationship with other peoples and forging stronger relations with other countries.

Since the advent of reforms and opening to the outside world, China, guided by national diplomatic policy, according to the necessity of China's S&T and economic development, and following the principles of equality, mutual benefits, results sharing, protecting intellectual property rights and respecting international practices, has conducted both governmental and non-governmental science and technology exchange and cooperation through bilateral and multilateral channels worldwide. Thus far, China has established cooperative scientific and technological relations with 135 countries and regions and entered into governmental science and technology cooperation agreements or economic and technical cooperation accords with 86 countries. In addition, China has acquired positions in over 30 scientific and technical institutions within the United Nations system and participated in 827 international S&T and academic bodies. By 1995, 27,785 international S&T exchange and cooperative projects had been carried out with over 93,981 personnel exchanged.

The Government of China has adopted a series of measures to encourage S&T personnel and research institutes to involve themselves in all aspects of international cooperation in a multitude of forms through various channels and at various levels, such as attending international academic conferences, holding international S&T exhibitions and symposiums, inviting foreign experts on lecture tours and for technical consultancy and feasibility studies, conducting cooperative research, joint investigation and exploratory activities, holding academic seminars, establishing joint laboratories, technical training centers, joint venture high-tech enterprises, sending Chinese experts abroad for joint research or even being hired by overseas institutes to work abroad. The Government of China encourages international science and technology exchange and cooperation that leads to a joint development of technology-industry- trade, technology - agriculture-trade, and technology-trade-finance.