US requests 6-month extension for science and technology deal with China.
The United States Seeks Extension of Science and Technology Agreement with China Amid Intellectual Theft Concerns
The United States is seeking an extension of only six months to a science and technology agreement (STA) with China amid concerns of intellectual theft. The landmark agreement, first signed in 1979, established a framework for cooperation between the two countries in scientific research and technology development. However, with the agreement set to expire on Aug. 27, the U.S. is looking to amend and strengthen its terms.
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The U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that the short-term extension will maintain the agreement’s validity while negotiations for amendments take place. This extension does not commit the United States to a longer-term agreement.
The renewal of the STA is under intense scrutiny due to concerns of intellectual property theft supported by Beijing. The U.S. government is dedicated to protecting national security and intellectual property interests.
The House Select Committee on China has urged the U.S. government not to renew the STA, as it could potentially strengthen China’s military-industrial development. Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require congressional notification for science and tech agreements, including thorough risk assessments, human rights considerations, and consistent monitoring mechanisms.
Former U.S. chief technology officer Michael Kratsios, who worked on the most recent renewal of the STA, believes that allowing the agreement to expire would redirect cutting-edge research and development investments to areas less vulnerable to being used against U.S. national interests.
In response to the proposed short-term extension, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson emphasized that China’s views on science and technology relations with the U.S. remain consistent, stating that science and technology are open for business.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce has lifted restrictions on 27 Chinese companies, removing them from the “unverified list” that prohibits the purchase of U.S. products and technology without a license. This move is seen as an olive branch to China ahead of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s visit to Beijing this week as part of the Biden administration’s efforts.
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