China has cooperated through science and technology programs with 152 countries and regions, signed inter-governmental sci-tech cooperation agreements with 96 countries and joined more than 1,000 international sci-tech cooperation organizations.  Non-governmental, international sci-tech cooperation and exchanges have also increased. The China Association for Science and Technology and affiliated organizations have joined 244 international scientific and technological organizations; in international scientific and technological organizations, 293 Chinese researchers hold the posts of executive member or director of the executive councils or boards of directors or higher posts, 281 hold leading posts on expert committees of international organizations; and 253 CAS scientists hold posts in international scientific organizations. The China National Science Foundation has concluded cooperative agreements and memoranda with counterpart organizations in 36 countries.

The International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China is a national science and technology award established by the State Council. It is granted to foreign scientists, engineers, managers, or organizations that have made important contributions to China's bilateral or multilateral scientific and technological cooperation. By the end of 2005, 40 foreign experts had won the award.