On October 27, 2021, the University of Minnesota China Center welcomed Ambassador Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, as the keynote speaker at the annual Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture, marking the 20th anniversary of this signature event. Ambassador Allen presented on the topic, "Science in China: Implications for U.S. Public Policy."
Joan Brzezinski, executive director of the China Center, welcomed Ambassador Allen and more than 150 guests in attendance. Meredith McQuaid, associate vice president and dean of international programs, delivered welcoming remarks and introduced Regent Kendall Powell, who made a formal introduction of the speaker for the evening.
In this insightful and informative lecture, Ambassador Allen examined the uncertainty and volatility of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China through the lens of science and technology development and competition.
Ambassador Allen first reviewed the rapid development of science as a key public policy priority of successive Chinese governments since the May 4th movement in 1919. Every Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader after Mao Zedong has re-emphasized the central role of science in all aspects of Chinese society. Recently, a CCP leader even claimed that the “CCP is the party of science.”
As Ambassador Allen observed, four decades of investment in science and technology have led to the creation of a vast science and technology establishment that continues to grow and will increasingly play a leading role globally. Yet, the motivations, values, and institutions that underlie the Chinese science and technology enterprise are different from Western European or North American counterparts. As Chinese capacity has grown, there is increasing tension between two very different sets of world views. Both the Chinese and the American governments accuse each other of “techno-nationalism.” And there have been concerns that China is diverging from global best practices in many ways.
However, Ambassador Allen said U.S.-China cooperation in science and technology has been beneficial for both sides. He recommended that the U.S. should continue to collaborate with China on basic science in non-military areas and actively address a broad suite of challenges related to technology cooperation. He also explained how the U.S. should address the technology issues in accordance to World Trade Organization and other principles, as well as in active collaboration with our allies, friends, and partners.
Following Ambassador Allen’s presentation was an engaging question-and-answer session. The discussion spanned from tariff and supply chain problems to the non-governmental “people to people” contacts.
At the end of the event, Mr. Bob Griffin, the donor of this signature lecture series, expressed a special thank you to Ambassador Allen, the University of Minnesota, and everyone who attended for the evening.
About the Speaker
On July 26, 2018, Craig Allen began his tenure as the sixth President of the United States-China Business Council (USCBC), a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing over 200 American companies doing business with China.
Prior to joining USCBC, Craig had a long, distinguished career in U.S. public service.
His last government position was as U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam (December 2014–July 2018).
Before that, Craig served in Washington as Deputy Assistant Secretary for China (2012–2014) in the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia (2010–2012).
About the Griffin Lecture
Building a legacy for their children and for Minnesota, Bob and Kim Griffin created an endowment fund at the University of Minnesota China Center to establish the “Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture.” The Griffins’ substantial gift reflects their commitment to promoting the mutual respect between the two cultures and their passion for connecting people to China.
Bob Griffin founded Griffin International Companies in 1997 and served as CEO. Under Griffin’s leadership, Griffin International Companies became one of the country’s leading sales and marketing firms, working extensively in Asia and in the U.S. In 2016, the Griffin International Companies joined Established Brands and U&I Entertainment to become CITIES Market Studios, where Bob Griffin served as Chief Business Officer. Later he served as a board member and chair at Energous Corporation.