A group of Republican senators is urging the Biden administration to revoke a science and technology agreement with China, following the recent renewal of cooperation between the two countries for another five years. Led by the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the senators expressed concerns that the extension of the agreement could lead to the cooptation of American research by China.
The initial agreement between the U.S. and China was signed in 1979 to counter the influence of the Soviet Union and to support China's development in science and technology. Over the years, the agreement has been extended, with the latest renewal occurring just before President Biden took office.
The State Department has emphasized that the new agreement has stricter safeguards in place to protect U.S. interests, focusing solely on basic research and excluding critical and emerging technologies. However, the senators remain skeptical, citing worries about intellectual property protection and the potential transfer of knowledge to China.
Experts, such as Deborah Seligsohn from Villanova University, argue that cutting off science and technology cooperation with China could result in the U.S. missing out on valuable opportunities. As China has advanced to become a peer in scientific research, collaboration with Chinese scientists could offer significant benefits to the U.S., particularly in this era of rapid technological advancement.
The senators' letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscores the ongoing debate within the U.S. government regarding the risks and rewards of engaging in scientific partnerships with China. The Biden administration will need to carefully consider these concerns as it navigates its approach to international science and technology cooperation.
