[Federal Register: November 12, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 218)] [Notices] [Page 63294] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12no98-45] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Technology Administration [Docket No. 9805-29140-8140-01] Cooperation Between the Technology Administration of the United States Department of Commerce and the Science and Technology Commission of The People's Republic of China; Civil Indistrial Technology Coordinating Committee AGENCY: Technology Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations for the coordinating committee. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Technology Administration invites nominations of individuals to appointment to the Civil Industrial Technology Coordinating Committee established under the Implementing Arrangement Concerning Cooperation in Civil Industrial Technology. The Technology Administration will consider all nominations received in response to this notice of appointment to the Coordinating Committee. DATES: Please submit nominations on or before January 8, 1999. ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations to Phyllis Yoshida, Office of Technology Policy, Technology Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 4411, Washington, D.C. 20230. Nominations may also be submitted by fax to 202-219-3310. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis Yoshida, telephone 202-482- 1287; fax 202-219-3310; e-mail Phyllis__Yoshida@ta.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Goals of the Implementing Arrangement On October 24, 1996, the United States Department of Commerce and the State Science and Technology Commission of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the ``Participants'') signed the Implementing Arrangement Concerning Cooperation in Civil Industrial Technology. It establishes a framework and goals for cooperation in science and technology, and requires the creation of a joint Civil Industrial Technology Coordinating Committee (``CIT Coordinating Committee''). The Technology Administration is the executive secretariat for this initiative. The goal of the Participants is to promote mutually beneficial cooperation among public and private entities in both nations, to strengthen technological capabilities of the Participants, and to broaden and intensify relations between their technological communities. Cooperative Activities Cooperative activities under this Implementing Arrangement may include, among others, joint research and technology projects, studies, and investigations; joint technological courses, workshops, conferences, and symposia; exchange of scientific and technical information in the context of cooperative activities; and other forms of scientific and technological cooperation as may be deemed appropriate. Cooperative activities should reflect technological strengths in China and the United States, and should be structured to provide an appropriate role for the private sector and academic organizations. Information on the CIT Coordinating Committee The Participants intend to jointly establish a CIT Coordinating Committee, consisting of 12 members, six to be designated by the Department of Commerce, and six to be designated by the State Science and Technology Commission. The Committee also includes the Executive Secretariat and Secretariat, two government officials designated by each of the Participants. The Coordinating Committee members will be drawn from the private sector, representing private industry, academia, or non-governmental organizations in the Participants'countries. The members of the Coordinating Committee will be expected to carry out the following functions: 1. Identify fields and forms of cooperation in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Implementing Arrangement; 2. Review, assess, and make specific recommendations concerning cooperative activities; and 3. Undertake other appropriate functions as may be approved by the Participants. Meetings of the Coordinating Committee The CIT Coordinating Committee meets twice a year, alternating between China and the United States to meet the objectives of the Implementing Arrangement. Length of Service The Participants intend to maximize public participation through regular rotation of CIT Coordinating Committee members. Committee members will serve a three year term, with staggered term ends to ensure that at least one-third of the membership is replaced annually. Membership Criteria and Requirements The U.S. members of the CIT Coordinating Committee shall be eminent leaders from industry, academia, or government who have experience in technology development, technology diffusion, or international technology collaboration. The CIT Coordinating Committee members should be familiar with the business climate, status of technology, and economic development of China. They should be U.S. citizens. Members of the CIT Coordinating Committee shall serve without compensation. The Department of Commerce is committed to equal opportunity in the workplace, and seeks a broad-based and diverse CIT Coordinating Committee membership. Conflict of Interest Nominees will be evaluated for their ability to contribute to the goals and objectives of the Implementing Arrangement. Nominees will be vetted in accordance with processes established by the Department of Commerce in February 1997, as soon as possible following tentative selection. The vetting has three components: (1) an internal review for possible appearance of conflict problems; (2) an external review for possible appearance of problems; and (3) a recusal/ethics agreement review. Dated: November 4, 1998. Kelly H. Carnes, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy. [FR Doc. 98-30187 Filed 11-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-18-U