China-US Education: Cooperation of Sino-US higher education

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02:30

With no end in sight to the ongoing China-US trade tension, some worry if it will have a ripple effect on other areas of cooperation. With thousands of Chinese students pursuing academic degrees in the US, and vice-versa, higher education remains a top priority for both countries. As CGTN's Mark Fontes shows us, this is one area of Sino-US cooperation that should stay strong.

In 40 years of Sino-US diplomatic relations, higher education has long been a staple of bilateral cooperation.

CHEN DALI, DIVISION DIRECTOR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF CHINA "This year marks the renewal of the education agreement between China and the US. Basically, we've finalized, just have to find the right time to sign."

As concern grows over China-US trade tension impacting education agreements, officials say not to worry.

CHEN DALI, DIVISION DIRECTOR MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF CHINA "Both sides are confident and enthusiastic about China-US education cooperation."

MINKING K. CHYU DEAN, SICHUAN UNIVERSITY- PITTSBURGH INSTITUTE "Chinese, I think they are more collective, more accommodating, and Americans, emphasize individual freedom, and privacy. But I think the promotion of mutual understanding will improve collaboration looking ahead."

Chen says more students and scholars move between the two countries than ever before. Today more than 600 thousand Chinese are pursuing academic degrees in the US, up from just a few dozen decades ago. Many also downplay reports of a US ban on student visas for Chinese nationals.

DENIS SIMON EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR, DUKE KUNSHAN UNIVERSITY "I think that's an exaggeration to think that every Chinese student to come to the United States is a threat to America's national securities. That's just beyond the belief, and having worked with Chinese students for the last 30 to 40 years, I think that just doesn't match the reality of what we are seeing."

Experts say too much is at stake to sabotage Sino-US cooperation in higher education. Many agree it holds the key to solving global problems.

GERARD A POSTIGLIONE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG "Who is going to solve them? Politicians? Business people? No! Universities. Academics. Scientists. Scholars. They are the ones that are going to produce the discoveries, the knowledge, the breakthrough, the innovations, to make the world a better place."

Despite current trade disagreements between the two sides, higher education agreements are widely expected to go on unaffected. Mark Fontes, CGTN, BEIJING.