Theoretical logics and national practices of science and technology diplomacy —From perspective of two meta-terms: “Science and technology” and “diplomacy”

Science and technology diplomacy is the intersection of two meta-terms: “science and technology” and “diplomacy”. Whether it leans towards the dimension of “science and technology” or “diplomacy”, the basic theoretical logics and national policy practices of science and technology diplomacy will be different. Research has found that the value foundation of science and technology diplomacy includes: sustainable development, national power, and common interests. In the dimension of “technology”, the corresponding theoretical logic of science and technology diplomacy is “science and technology for good”, and the representative conceptual framework is the meta activity framework, which reflects the ideals and cooperation perspectives. In the dimension of “diplomacy”, the corresponding theoretical logic is “diplomacy for interests”, and the representative conceptual framework is the meta goal framework, which reflects the reality and competitive perspectives. Due to the national strategic needs, the United States has changed the philosophy of science and technology diplomacy from “science and technology for good” to “diplomacy for interests”, and mainly adopts the meta goal framework. Due to factors such as ethnic culture and development wills, the European Union and China tend to adopt the meta activity framework. With the development of science and technology and geopolitics, science and technology diplomacy will present new trends, including boundary generalization, value influence, the Global South coming to the force, etc. It is suggested that China should develop the strategy of science and technology diplomacy in the new era, strengthen the communication mechanism between the diplomatic department and the science and technology department, enhance investment for science and technology activities and the cultivation of science and technology diplomats, and fully leverage the role of multiple stakeholders in science and technology diplomacy.