The signing of the Agreement of Cooperation between ASTM International and the Shanghai Institute of Standardization is more than an historic event. It marks the beginning of a new relationship, one that reflects a new age. In this age, standards are developed to have global applications and to serve global industries. Increased cooperation between our standardization activities will mean increased productivity and success for global industries in China, the United States, and the world.

We are looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming new members from China. One of ASTM International’s most important goals is that there be no barriers to standardization, or to the use of ASTM standards. Language can be a formidable barrier, and ASTM International would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Shanghai Institute for Standardization, and the experts who took part in translating the ASTM Dictionary of Engineering Science and Technology. It is an important bridge between our institutions and will undoubtedly be indispensable to our members from China as well as our members from other parts of the world.

Another exciting aspect of our agreement is the anticipated arrival of a member of the Shanghai Bureau of Quality Technical Supervision, who will be at ASTM headquarters this year for a period of two months, as well as the training courses that ASTM will conduct at SIS. We expect these two programs to be highly successful and lead to a level of understanding between our organizations that is above anything that we now know.

ASTM standards are well known in China. As a result of this Agreement, they will become better known; and the contributions of Chinese technical experts will make these standards even more relevant to China’s needs and expectations. We will learn much from each other; and the effects of our collaboration will resonate far beyond our organizations. The standards we develop together will not only increase the quality of life in China and the United States, but will also take our products around the world, into the markets our industries want and need.

The relationship of ASTM International and the Shanghai Institute of Standardization is not a new one. We have been friends for some time, and we have done important work together. But times change. The market place has become global, there are new demands on our standards, and the need to work together is greater now than ever before. This is an important step forward. We wish to thank the Shanghai Institute of Standardization for its cooperation in executing this Agreement, and we look forward to an exciting new year, exciting new projects, and a renewed, regenerated partnership.

With best wishes,

James A. Thomas, President
ASTM International

      美国材料测试学会（ASTM International）和上海市标准化研究院（SIS）签订合作协议是一件具有历史意义的事情，它标志着一个反映新纪元特征的崭新合作关系的开端。在这个新的世纪中，标准在全球业界得到了全面的应用。双方在标准化工作方面的合作将促使中国、美国乃至全球范围内的企业获得更高的生产率和更大的成功。
      我们热切希望并欢迎来自中国的新ASTM会员。ASTM International的一个重要目标就是消除标准化工作中或是使用ASTM标准过程中的障碍。语言可能是一个无法回避的障碍，在此我想借此机会对上海市标准化研究院和所有参加翻译《ASTM工程科技辞典》的专家表示感谢。这本词典的翻译，是我们之间重要的桥梁，并将无疑成为我们在中国以及世界各地会员不可或缺的工具。
      我们协议中另外一个重要的方面是年内ASTM将迎接来自上海市质量技术监督局的一名官员，她将在ASTM总部进行为期2个月的工作和培训，相同的培训也将在上海市标准化研究院开展。我们希望上述两个项目能取得圆满成功，以此大大增进我们两个标准化组织之间的理解。
      目前ASTM标准在中国具有很高的知名度。通过这项合作协议的实施和中国技术专家的努力，ASTM标准将更适合于中国的需求并将更加广为人知。通过合作，我们可以相互学习，并且我们的合作将产生巨大的效果。我们合作制定的标准，不仅将提高中国和美国人民的生活质量，而且将使我们的产品打入全世界所有我们希望进入的市场。
      ASTM International 和上海市标准化研究院的合作由来已久。长久以来，我们一直是朋友，并且合作开展了重要的工作。但是，时代在改变，目前的市场是一个全球化的市场，对标准提出了全新的要求，所以合作的迫切性比以往任何时候都要强烈。此次我们双方的合作是我们向前发展所迈出的重要一步。我们对于上海市标准化研究院为实施我们双方的合作协议所做出的努力表示感谢，并希望在令人激动的新的一年中，能有更多更好的新合作项目，并希望同上海市标准化研究院保持长期的、不断发展的合作伙伴关系。

      此致

詹姆斯·托马斯 总裁
ASTM International