Negotiating?? NEGOTIATING???
This isn’t a trade deal, these are U.S. citizens we’re talking about.
Problem is, if China objects to something, it has to be worked out, or we can’t even send our experts over at all. So then you have a balance of how much they think they need our experts* vs. OUR need to get more hands on info.
*”Face” and pride are likely involved on their side too, I imagine, and there may be presumption on ours, tho’ one would hope to a lesser degree. I think (actually have some experience with this in a different area) both the US and Chinese researchers would have little problem working together as long as industrial or state secrets were not involved. Some bureaucrats and pols...? Keep in mind that for China’s leaders, admission of needing help from a rival could be fatal itself.
Add "IP" to that.