SPIE, OIDA to testify on US impact of China technology policy

Two optics and photonics industry leaders will speak tomorrow during a public hearing by the U.S. government's US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Washington, DC. The day-long hearing on Tuesday, March 24 will review "China's Industrial Policy and its Impact on U.S. Companies, Workers, and the American Economy."

The hearing will examine various Chinese industries and use of incentives to attract foreign investment. The optics and photonics industry will be represented on a "nanotechnology and optoelectronics" panel, which will include three speakers, including the SPIE's (The International Society for Optics and Photonics) CEO Dr. Eugene Arthurs, and OIDA (Optoelectronics Industry Development Association) President and CEO Dr. Michael S. Lebby, who earlier sought input for his presentation. The other panel speaker is Dr. Richard P. Appelbaum, Executive Committee, Center for Nanotech in Society, University of California at Santa Barbara.

The hearing begins at 8:15 am in Room 236 of the Russell Senate Office Building, located at Delaware and Constitution Avenues, NE, Washington DC; the nanotechnology and optoelectronics panel presents from 3:45 to 5:15 pm. Four other panels will also present, and will represent China's pillar and strategic industries, and telecommunications and information technology industries.

The main goal of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) is to review the national security implications of trade and economic ties between the United States and the People's Republic of China. The commission has had only two other hearings this year, and held 9 in 2008. For further details on tomorrow's hearing see the USCC's website.

The Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) is a Washington DC-based organization that says it is "the focal point for vision, transformation, and growth of the optoelectronics industry." OIDA is organizing the OPTOmism show ("Powering the Green Revolution through Photonics), May 18-20, 2009 in Santa Clara, CA . For further information see the OIDA site.

SPIE is an international optics and photonics society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. It serves scientists and engineers in industry, academia, and government, as well as companies producing leading-edge products. The society produces the industry's leading trade event, SPIE Photonics West, held each January. For more information see SPIE's website.