Science as a Beacon of Hope in U.S.-China Relations

News Asia 360

Amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China over strategic and technological competition, bilateral scientific collaboration has grown increasingly fraught. Concerns over China’s military-civil fusion and alleged espionage efforts have led to heightened scrutiny in Washington, while China’s restrictive information policies have further strained trust.

In this challenging context, the renewal of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA) on December 13 marked a significant step toward stabilizing scientific cooperation. While allowing the STA to lapse might not have had an immediate impact, prominent scientists warned that canceling the agreement would send a damaging message. The updated STA introduces new safeguards to address national security concerns and ensure reciprocity, providing a framework for continued collaboration without full decoupling.

First signed in 1979 following the normalization of U.S.-China diplomatic ties, the STA has been renewed every five years since, including under the Trump administration, which added measures to strengthen intellectual property protections. The 2024 amendments take further steps to address modern challenges, including enhanced protections for researchers, improved data-sharing reciprocity, and accountability mechanisms for government-to-government projects.

These changes align with the Biden administration’s strategy of “de-risking” relations with China. By establishing clear boundaries around science and technology cooperation—particularly in areas with potential military applications—the STA seeks to balance national security with the need for scientific progress. This approach ensures the U.S. can continue to lead in global research and innovation while mitigating risks posed by strategic competition with Beijing.

Importantly, the STA does not mandate collaboration but rather serves as a framework that ensures consistent terms and protections for U.S. science agencies when pursuing joint projects with Chinese counterparts. This structure allows for flexibility while safeguarding U.S. interests, emphasizing collaboration in areas of mutual benefit like public health, climate change, and fundamental scientific research.

The renewed agreement is a timely reminder that, with appropriate safeguards, scientific cooperation can transcend geopolitical divides. It underscores the potential for science to serve as a bridge between two global powers, fostering progress that benefits not only the U.S. and China but the world at large.

Photo: GettyImages

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