China Association for Science and Technology

The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) is a professional organization in China that promotes science and technology development. It is newsworthy due to its involvement in two recent controversies. Firstly, CAST is indirectly implicated in criticisms of China's science and technology awards system, which is facing scrutiny for alleged misconduct, including exaggeration of achievements and corruption. Secondly, CAST played a role in the backlash against a top US AI conference after it implemented a policy that appeared to bar US-sanctioned entities from participating. Several major Chinese professional bodies, potentially including CAST, urged domestic researchers to boycott the event. This highlights CAST's relevance in representing Chinese scientific interests and its potential influence in international scientific collaborations, particularly in the context of US-China relations and technology sanctions.