Office of the Historian

263. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)1

Washington, August 24, 1979

MEMORANDUM FOR

  • The Vice President
  • The Secretary of State
  • The Secretary of Defense
  • The Secretary of the Interior
  • The Secretary of Agriculture
  • The Secretary of Commerce
  • The Secretary of Health, Education, & Welfare
  • The Secretary of Housing & Urban Development
  • The Secretary of Transportation
  • The Secretary of Energy
  • The Director, Office of Management & Budget
  • The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • The Director of Central Intelligence
  • The Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • The Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
  • The Director, Office of Science & Technology Policy
  • The Director, International Communication Agency
  • The Director, National Science Foundation
  • The Administrator, General Services Administration
  • The Secretary of The Smithsonian Institution

SUBJECT

  • US–China Scientific and Technological Relationships

The President has approved the following program, as developed by the Policy Review Committee (China S&T), for continuing the process of S&T cooperation with China:

Environment. An agreement on environmental science cooperation will be pursued during a visit to China this fall by the EPA Administrator. Areas of work would include air and water quality, environ [Page 924] mental impact of major projects and activities, solid waste management, environmental health, and toxic substances control.

Transportation. DOT will develop proposal for joint programs in vessel traffic management, hazardous materials shipment problems, marine safety, air traffic control, urban transportation systems, railroad transport, and other areas.

Basic Science. NSF will seek to develop programs in basic science cooperation. Areas of special interest for programs include R&D management, science policy, astronomy, botany, natural products chemistry, and paleontology.

Construction. HUD and GSA will develop proposals for cooperative activities in building design, construction management and technology, and building materials and components.

In addition, the Department of the Interior and the Smithsonian Institution will develop proposals in their respective areas for discussion with the Chinese in early 1980.

All S&T cooperation with China will continue to follow the policy guidelines established by PD/NSC–43.2 In particular, agencies are reminded that they should seek all reasonable benefits to the US within each program. Agencies are also reminded of the need for early interagency review of proposed programs so that export control issues may properly be taken into account.

Zbigniew Brzezinski3
  1. Source: Carter Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box 21, PD/NSC 43. Confidential.↩
  2. See Document 150.↩
  3. Aaron signed for Brzezinski above this typed signature.↩