Article

Subnational Science and Technology Diplomacy: Navigating Geopolitical Challenges Through the Lens of California-China Climate Cooperation

Yucan Jin^1,*

¹American Studies Center, School of English and International Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China

^*Correspondence: Yucan Jin, E-mail: yucan_jin@bfsu.edu.cn

Received: 2025-01-05Revised: 2025-02-17Accepted: 2025-02-25Published: 2025-03-25

J. Int. Eco. Glo. Gov., 2025, 2(2), 38-64; https://doi.org/10.12414/jiegg.250451

Abstract:

Abstract: Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, traditional state-centric science and technology (S&T) diplomacy faces significant limitations, while the urgency of the climate crisis necessitates innovative frameworks for collaboration. This article examines the critical role of subnational actors in advancing climate diplomacy, using the case of California-China [...] Read More.

Keywords: Science and Technology Diplomacy, Subnational Cooperation; California- China Climate Cooperation, Geopolitical Challenges

Keywords: Science and Technology Diplomacy, Subnational Cooperation; California- China Climate Cooperation, Geopolitical Challenges

Abstract

Abstract

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, traditional state-centric science and technology (S&T) diplomacy faces significant limitations, while the urgency of the climate crisis necessitates innovative frameworks for collaboration. This article examines the critical role of subnational actors in advancing climate diplomacy, using the case of California-China climate cooperation as an illustrative example. Through an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms and dynamics of collaboration among California’s subnational entities, Chinese governmental bodies, private sectors, and academia, the study uncovers the rationale and strategies underpinning these cooperative efforts. The findings reveal that the California-China partnership exemplifies a hybrid governance model that integrates top-down initiatives with bottom-up engagement, guided by the interplay of ideas, interests, and institutionalization (I-I-I). This model is sustained by shared climate priorities, pragmatic economic incentives, and multi-level institutional networks, enabling resilience despite federal constraints and geopolitical uncertainties. By framing California-China climate cooperation as a microcosm of broader U.S.- China relations, this study highlights the transformative potential of subnational actors to navigate geopolitical fragmentation and foster global climate solutions. It contributes to the theoretical understanding of subnational S&T diplomacy by demonstrating how decentralized governance and cross-sector collaboration can transcend competition and advance shared objectives. Ultimately, this research provides a novel lens for reimagining S&T diplomacy in an era of geopolitical complexities and climate urgency intertwined, offering actionable insights for policymakers and scholars alike.

Keywords: Science and Technology Diplomacy, Subnational Cooperation; California- China Climate Cooperation, Geopolitical Challenges

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Funding

Funding

This research was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Project Approval No. 2024JX081).

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of Interest:

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.

References

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