The modernized U.S.-China Science Agreement ensures intellectual property protections and limits collaboration to basic research.
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| The U.S. and China have amended and extended the Science and Technology Agreement, focusing on transparency, security, and basic research. Symbolic image |
Washington, USA - December 14, 2024:
The United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have signed a protocol amending and extending the U.S.-PRC Science and Technology Agreement (STA) for an additional five years. The agreement, first established in 1979, serves as a framework for bilateral government-to-government cooperation in scientific research.
The modernized STA includes strengthened provisions to protect U.S. interests. It upholds intellectual property protections, introduces new safety and security measures for researchers, and prioritizes transparency and data reciprocity. Importantly, the revised agreement limits collaboration to basic research, explicitly excluding critical and emerging technologies to safeguard U.S. national security.
"This agreement reflects months of careful negotiations and consultations across the U.S. government. It underscores our commitment to responsibly managing strategic competition with China while ensuring that any collaboration under the STA directly benefits the United States," a U.S. official stated.
The renewed STA highlights the balance between fostering international scientific collaboration and addressing security concerns. By modernizing its provisions, the agreement reinforces the United States' ability to maintain global leadership in science and technology while mitigating risks.P