Zhang Jing
in 美国研究 The Chinese Journal of American Studies (2026)
Abstract: Amid the intensifying Sino-U. S. strategic competition, the simplistic analogy of a “Tech Cold War” has become a focal point in academic discourse. However, viewed through a historical lens, Cold War science and technology (S&T) diplomacy exhibits complexities that far exceed mere confrontation. S&T served not only as the core driver of the military arms race but also as the medium for strategic maneuvering, intertwining multiple dimensions of interstate confrontation, competition, containment, and cooperation. Starting with conceptual clarification, this article distinguishes the nuanced connotations of categories such as “Cold War S&T diplomacy,” “science / S&T diplomacy, ” and “scientific internationalism” across varying historical contexts, thereby revealing the cognitive biases stemming from the historical projection of concepts and contextual misalignment. Furthermore, it outlines the theoretical foundations of the history of Cold War S&T diplomacy, elucidating the coupling of S&T with state power, the historical instrumentalization of S&T in Cold War diplomacy, as well as issues concerning scientists’ transnational agency and their dilemmas of dual loyalty. Building upon this, the paper reviews the existing literature on the history of Sino-U. S. Cold War S&T diplomacy, identifying its methodological limitations and biases in theoretical assumptions, historical source utilization, and comparative perspectives. It critiques Western-centric narratives, the simplistic application of the U. S.-Soviet analytical framework, and the neglect of China’s strategic subjectivity. The research demonstrates that Sino-U. S. Cold War S&T diplomacy evolved historically from strategic confrontation to non governmental exchanges, and ultimately to intergovernmental cooperation. Characterized fundamentally by state power and strategic calculus, this historical trajectory underscores that breakthroughs in political relations serve as a vital prerequisite for advancing S&T cooperation.
内容提要: 在美国对华战略竞争的背景下,“科技冷战”的简单比附成为学界热点。然而,历史维度的冷战科技外交具有远超单纯对抗的复杂性———科技既是军事竞赛的核心动力,更是国家间对抗、竞争、遏制与合作等多重维度交织的战略博弈载体。本文以概念厘定为起点,辨析“冷战科技外交” “ 科学/ 科技外交” “ 科学国际主义”等范畴在不同历史语境中的内涵差异,揭示概念的历史投射与语境错位引发的认知偏差;进而梳理冷战科技外交史的学理基础,阐释科技与国家权力的耦合、科技作为冷战外交工具的历史实践,以及科学家的跨国能动性与双重忠诚困境等问题;在此基础上,梳理中美冷战科技外交史的既有研究成果,及其在理论预设、史料运用、比较视野上的方法论局限与偏差,批判西方中心论叙事、美苏分析框架的简单套用以及忽视中国的战略主体性等问题。研究表明,中美冷战科技外交经历了由战略对峙、民间交流到政府合作的历史演进,其历史特征以国家权力与战略博弈为核心,政治关系的突破是科技合作得以推进的重要前
About the author: Zhang Jing was a HYI Visiting Scholar from 2024-25.