As reported in Asian Fortune (May 2002), the Chinese Association for Science and Technology in the USA (CASTUSA), an umbrella group of Chinese professionals founded in August 1992 in New York City and established in the New York as a non-profit and non-political organization, is regarded as the leading institution of Chinese American professionals and entrepreneurs promoting understanding between mainstream Americans and ethnic Chinese across the continent. It grows quickly and has spread to 30 states, as chapters are established and anchored in world class academic and business centers. Its more than 2000 members work in universities, industries, government agencies, research triangles. Chinese university students in America are also joining the association as do Chinese professionals in the finance and investments industries.
The association's purposes are threefold: (1) to promote academic exchanges and professional development of its members; (2) to serve as a "bridge" between the United States and China for both personnel and information exchanges, and for the cooperation in science and technology, economic, trade and other areas; and (3) to promote friendships and communications among members and to enhance greater understanding of Chinese traditional culture in the United States. At the heart of CASTUSA's mission is the development of strong ties and relationships among scientific and technological communities both in the US and China.