Since you are a professor at the University of California, if you plan to meet with representatives of a foreign government（for example, from China）, there are compliance considerations. The requirements depend on the purpose and context of the meeting:

1. UC & Campus Requirements

Prior Disclosure：UC campuses generally expect faculty to disclose formal interactions with foreign governments, especially if they involve research, funding, or agreements.

Office to Notify：Typically, this is your Office of Research / Sponsored Programs or Export Control Office. At UCR, that would be the Office of Research Integrity（ORI）or your department chair/dean.

Why：They track for potential conflicts of interest, export control issues, or restrictions under federal law.

2. Federal Requirements

Export Control & Research Security：If the discussion could involve sensitive research, controlled technology, or dual-use information, U.S. law requires compliance with export control regulations（EAR/ITAR）.

Funding Disclosure：If the interaction could lead to financial support, you must disclose it in federal grant reporting（NSF, DOE, DoD, NIH, etc.）.

DOE/DoD Restrictions：Some U.S. agencies prohibit participation in Talent Recruitment Programs sponsored by China and require reporting any approaches.

3. Practical Steps

Check UC Policy：Contact your Research Integrity/Compliance Office to confirm whether the meeting needs pre-approval or just reporting afterward.

Keep Records：Document the purpose, participants, and outcomes of the meeting.

Avoid Commitments：Don’t sign agreements or promise research collaboration without UC review.

If Uncertain：A quick email to your compliance office saying “I’ve been invited to meet with X representatives from China; are there any reporting requirements?” covers you.

👉 In short:
Yes, you should at least inform your department chair and UC’s research/compliance office before the meeting as a backup, especially since U.S. research security policies have become stricter.