"There is a meeting every year to discuss high energy physics collaboration between the US and China for the forthcoming year," Rubinstein said. "This year's meeting was slightly more ceremonial because it is the 25th anniversary of the agreement to cooperate on high energy physics."

In 1979, James Schlesinger, the first head of the Department of Energy, signed for the U.S. side, the implementing accord establishing the US/PRC Joint Committee for Cooperation on High Energy Physics, in order to encourage collaboration between the two countries. Deng Xiaoping, who was the Chinese leader at the time and also the father of a physicist who studied in the US, supported science development in his country and also strongly encouraged a collaboration with the US.

Since that time, physicists from the US and China have met every year, alternating the location of the meeting between the two countries each year. "Fermilab has had many users from Chinese institutions because of this agreement," Rubinstein said. The majority of discussions at the meeting focused on the particle accelerator at the Institute of High Energy Physics in Beijing, but in the past attendees have also discussed collaboration on US projects such as DZero at Fermilab and STAR at Brookhaven.

In celebration of the 25 years, the US delegation met with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in the government compound in Beijing. "The Chinese Premier gave a very positive affirmation of China's interest in collaborating with the US," Staffin said. "He also reaffirmed the importance of conducting science and continuing the US/China Cooperation on High Energy Physics."

In virtually all these incidents, the property in question was unsecured and visible to a passerby. Two of the losses occurred from unlocked personal vehicles. One of the two laptops was secured to a desk with a "laptop" lockdown kit. These kits are intended to thwart the snatch and run type crime that might occur in a public area like an airport. They are not adequate for securing computers left unattended in plain view.

The Security Department recommends personnel property be out of view and secured, especially attractive targets like wallets, purses, and highly portable electronics, such as PDAs, ipods, and laptops. Laptops should be secured in substantial cabinets or desks when not in use. The "laptop" lockdown kits should be used when your machine is in use or when you may have to wonder a short distance for a brief time. If you are going to be out of sight of the machine, or the office where it is located, lock it in the cabinet or desk and get it out of sight. If you see a stranger in your area ask if you can assist them. Criminals committing these types of crimes are opportunistic and can be very bold and well prepared with explanations if caught in a compromising situation. If you are suspicious of a person's activity in your work area or are a victim of theft, report it immediately by calling the security dispatcher at x3414.