More than 40 years of scientific agreement between the US and China is at risk of collapse.

However, now, with relations between the two sides at their worst in decades, there is a heated debate within the US government about whether to continue to extend the US-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA) that is scheduled to expire at the end of this year.

With Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing for the first trip to China by a US secretary of state in five years and little expectation of any bilateral breakthrough, the debate over the oldest bilateral cooperation agreement between the US and China reflects a larger question dividing policymakers: Do the benefits of cooperation with China outweigh the risks of a competitor?

The 40-year-old scientific agreement between the US and China is at risk of collapse - 1 — The scientific cooperation agreement between China and the US has existed for more than 40 years. (Photo: Reuters)

The STA was signed in 1979 when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic relations. It is renewed every five years. The STA has been hailed as a symbol of stability in the two countries' relationship, with cooperation in areas ranging from atmospheric science and agriculture to basic research in physics and chemistry. It has also laid the foundation for a boom in academic and commercial exchanges between the two sides.

That cooperation has helped China develop into a technological and military power, but concerns about Beijing stealing scientific and commercial achievements have also raised questions about whether the agreement, which is set to expire on August 27, should continue.

Supporters of the STA extension argue that ending the agreement would stifle academic and commercial collaboration.

While the mainstream US position appears to still be in favor of extension, a growing number of officials and lawmakers believe that cooperation on science and technology will be less influential and meaningful given the competitiveness between the two countries.

“Renewing the US-China Science and Technology Agreement will only further endanger our research and intellectual property. The administration must end this outdated agreement,” said Mike Gallagher, chairman of the China Committee.

Within the U.S. government, including the State Department, which is leading the negotiations, there are conflicting views on whether to extend the deal, let it expire, or renegotiate it to include protections against industrial espionage and reciprocity in data exchanges, according to three officials familiar with the matter. Given the current U.S.-China relationship, trying to renegotiate could risk scuttling the deal.

American businesses have long complained about Chinese government policies that require technology transfers. President Joe Biden's administration has also increased its focus on technology competition.

Supporters of the extension argue that without the STA, the US would miss out on a chance to gain insight into China's technological advances.

“Friend or foe, the United States needs to engage with China to understand what is happening on the ground,” said Denis Simon, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who studies technology strategy in China.

For their part, the US State Department and the National Security Council declined to comment on ongoing internal discussions.

A year ago, Chinese officials spoke of the agreement as laying the foundation for 40 years of fruitful cooperation, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said.

“As far as we know, the US side is still conducting an internal review on the extension of the agreement,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said, adding that both sides could consider adjusting the original agreement.

Comment (0)