The War for Chinese Talent in America, with David Zweig

The podcast explores the politics of global talent flows, technology transfer, and national security, focusing on China's talent recruitment strategies and the U.S. response. David Zweig, author of "The War for Chinese Talent in America," discusses China's diaspora option, where skilled professionals contribute from abroad, contrasting it with the traditional returnee model. The conversation highlights China's Thousand Talents Plan, its unique characteristics, and the motivations of participating scientists, including financial incentives, professional opportunities, and nationalism. Zweig also addresses concerns about intellectual property theft, the impact of the China Initiative, and the chilling effect on cross-Pacific collaborations, noting a shift towards co-ethnic publications within the U.S. He proposes a three-tiered approach to research collaboration, balancing national security with the benefits of open scientific exchange.