SATEC

ABOUT SATEC

The inaugural biennial Sino-American Technology and Engineering Conference (SATEC) took place in June 1993 in Beijing, China with the goal of raising the levels of science and technology in China, particularly the level of technological reform at Chinese enterprises. It was co-sponsored mainly by the Chinese Institute of Engineers – USA (CIE-USA) and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) in the State Council of PRC. The planning effort started in 1991 with support from the Premier LI Peng (1991) and the Premier ZHU Rongji (1992–1993).

The Dream of SATEC

It is well known that Taiwan’s Electronic Research and Service Organization / Industrial Technology Research Institute (ESRO/ITRI) was formed in 1973 as a result of three Modern Engineering and Technology Seminars (METS). IC process and design technology transfer agreement between RCA, where Dr. Wen-Yuan Pan (潘文淵) acted as director, and ITRI was signed in 1975. A pilot plant for integrated circuit was established within ITRI in 1977. United Microelectronics Corporation was spun off from ITRI in 1980. Dr. Morris Chang (張忠謀), who received the CIE distinguished achievement award in 1984, returned to Taiwan in 1985 to take charge of ITRI, and TSMC, the world’s largest OEM IC foundry, was spun off from ITRI in 1987. From 1973 to 1993, CIE-USA provided a major platform to connect its members with Taiwan’s technology industry, and contributed to the creation of ITRI and many start-ups in Hsinchu Science Park. In 1993, a breakthrough with the manufacturing of 8-inch silicon wafers marked Taiwan as a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse.

Challenges and Controversies

Across the Straight, Chinese officials also witnessed the key roles that CIE-USA played on Taiwan’s technology advancement and economic development, and became interested in collaborating with CIE after the State High-Tech Development Plan (863 Program) was established in March 1986. However, the intent of building a formal and long-term relationship with China stirred a heated debate within CIE-USA after the Tiananmen Square incident. Despite the political challenges and economic uncertainties, members of CIE’s National Council managed to work out their differences and reached the consensus of organizing a METS-like conference with China.

A Path Forward

In partnership with the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) and the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC), CIE-USA began to develop the Sino-American Technology and Engineering Conference (SATEC) in the early 1990s. Dr. Wen-Yuan Pan (潘文 淵) was invited to visit China in 1991 and met with Premier Peng Li. In January 1992, CIE-NY president Dr. Janpu Hou (侯展璞) and vice president Dr. Hui-Hwui Chin (陳幼慧) met with SAFEA administrator Junru Ma (馬俊如) in Beijing to discuss the organization of SATEC. In March 1992, SAFEA administrator Junru Ma (馬俊如) visited CIE-USA in New York to discuss the development of a pilot SATEC program. The vice minister of China’s State Science and Technology Commission, Nan Deng (鄧楠), also came to New York to share her view on China’s technology development roadmap so that SATEC can be organized accordingly.

The Start of SATEC

A pilot SATEC program was implemented in June 1992, with CIE-NY president Janpu Hou (侯 展璞) leading a 9-member delegation to Beijing and meeting with vice premier Rongji Zhu. The CIE delegation then visited the Sichuan Province to understand local needs and solve practical problems. Finally with a focus on key technological fields identified by the 863 Program, the first SATEC was inaugurated in 1993.

Past SATEC