US-China Science Agreement Set to Expire, Threatening Scientific Collaboration and Tech Innovation
A decades-old science and technology cooperation agreement between the United States and China is set to expire on August 27, 2023. The potential lapse in this agreement could have significant consequences for scientific research and technological innovation if it is not renewed.
The warning to the US State Department to be cautious of cooperation with China came from US Rep. Mike Gallagher and a congressional group. They recommended allowing the agreement to expire without renewal, citing concerns that China has gained a military advantage through its scientific and technological ties with the US.
Despite the importance of renewing the agreement, the US State Department has been slow in taking action and only requested an extension at the last moment to amend and strengthen the agreement.
China has become the top scientific partner of the US since 2011, surpassing the United Kingdom which had been the US’ primary collaborator for many years. China’s domestic research and development spending is approaching parity with that of the United States, and its scholastic output is increasing in both quantity and quality. Recent studies indicate that China’s science is becoming more innovative and groundbreaking.
As an expert in policy analysis and public affairs, I study international collaboration in science and technology and its implications for public policy. Negotiating and signing agreements can enhance relations between countries, and this agreement is no exception. The US-China science and technology agreement has successfully facilitated joint research projects and the establishment of shared research centers between the two nations.
While US scientists can usually collaborate with foreign counterparts without a political agreement, this is not the case with China. The 1979 agreement between the US and China became a prerequisite and catalyst for cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement between the US and China regarding science and technology was part of the historic opening of relations between the two countries. It was initiated by US President Richard Nixon and continued by President Jimmy Carter, following decades of tension and estrangement. China had announced plans for reforms, modernization, and global engagement after a period of isolation during the Cultural Revolution.
In the early years, collaboration under the 1979 agreement mostly involved information exchange and symbolic efforts. However, substantive collaborations gradually developed over time. Joint research projects on topics such as birth defects prevention, renewable energy, and disease diagnostics emerged, independent of government agreements or aid. These collaborations were often initiated by Chinese Americans or Chinese nationals working in the US who cooperated with researchers back home.
In recent years, the increased scientific collaboration between the US and China has raised concerns among US government agencies and Congress. China’s growing economic and technological success has led to worries about intellectual property theft, trade secret violations, and national security vulnerabilities. US legislation, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, is a response to China’s rapid expansion and aims to boost the US semiconductor industry while limiting China’s access to advances in AI and electronics.
Now, there is a belief among some politicians that the bilateral science and technology agreement, originally intended as a low-conflict form of cooperation, may threaten the US’ dominance in science and technology. As political and military tensions between the US and China increase, both countries are apprehensive about renewing the agreement. Meanwhile, China has signed similar agreements with over 100 other nations.
Even with the recent extension and possible renegotiation, the US has signaled reluctance to cooperate with China. Joint publications between the two countries have declined, and Chinese researchers are less willing to come to the US. Furthermore, Chinese researchers who are currently in the US are increasingly likely to return to China, taking valuable knowledge with them.
The risk of the US losing out on top expertise as China continues to progress in technological advancements is a growing concern. To address these challenges, it may be beneficial for both parties to view science as a globally shared resource and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
Overall, the expiration of the US-China science and technology agreement poses a significant threat to scientific collaboration and tech innovation. The potential loss of this cooperative era may have far-reaching consequences for both countries and the global scientific community.
