Abstract

Biotechnology emerges as one of the key technologies offering solutions to global challenges such as healthcare, food, agriculture, energy and environment; and driving economic growth. The competition between the U.S. and China in this field is shaped by various factors, including intellectual property protection, regulatory environments, and geopolitical tensions. Covid-19 vaccine is a good example of the geopolitics of biotechnology. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. Basic scientific research, disease surveillance, biopharmaceutical development, precision medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability are potential areas for cooperation. However, addressing ethical and regulatory challenges, building trust, and promoting transparent exchanges are essential for realising the full potential of the U.S.-China collaboration in biotechnology.

About the Speaker

Dr. Cung Vu is a chemical engineer with over 40 years of experience in industries, academia and government. He retired from the US government in 2015. Dr. Vu is currently an independent consultant, focusing on Science and Technology (S&T) in National Security, Emerging Technologies, and Renewable Energy in the Asia-Pacific region. He is a Visiting Senior Fellow, Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and a consultant for the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii.

Prior to his retirement, Dr. Vu served as Associate Director at the Office of Naval Research Global in Singapore. He acted as a technical broker linking the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Naval Research Enterprise with the international scientific community.

Previously, Dr. Vu served as Chief Science and Technology Advisor at the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) where he advised the Director of NMIO on the implications of emerging technologies in the maritime domain. He was Senior Program Officer, Board of Manufacturing and Engineering Design and National Materials Advisory Board of the National Academies. He conducted studies, defined technical issues, proposed solutions, and identified research opportunities over a wide range of manufacturing, engineering design, materials, and processing topics for government, industries, and academia. Dr. Vu spent more than 20 years in the private sector working in the chemical and material industries.

He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Monash University, Australia and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Honors from University of Sydney, Australia.