How the US China science agreement evolved

Source: The post How the US China science agreement evolved has been created, based on the article “U.S. and China renew S&T Agreement” published in “The Hindu” on 26th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2– International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: The article discusses the renewal of the U.S.-China science and technology agreement, highlighting its history, benefits, and changes. It explains how such agreements promote cooperation, research, and mobility, while addressing concerns about intellectual property and critical technologies in the renewed agreement.

For detailed information on On US-China relations read this article here

What is the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement?

1. Historical Background: Signed on January 31, 1979, by Deng Xiaoping and Jimmy Carter, the Agreement marked a new era in U.S.-China diplomatic relations, fostering cooperation in science and technology. Since then, the Agreement has been renewed every five years while expanding in scope.
2. Governance: It is overseen by the U.S.-PRC Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, with designated agencies as executive agents.
3. Scope: The Agreement includes protocols between agencies and 40 sub-agreements across various fields, from agriculture to nuclear fusion.
4. Impact on R&D: China’s R&D spending grew from $375 million in 1979 to $442 billion in 2021, making it a global leader in science.

What changes were made in the renewed Agreement?

1. Enhanced Researcher Safety and Data Reciprocity: The renewed Agreement includes provisions to ensure better safety for researchers and equitable sharing of research data.
2. Focus on Basic Research: Cooperation is limited to basic research conducted at intergovernmental levels.
3. Defined Themes of Mutual Benefit: Research will now focus only on previously agreed areas of mutual interest.
4. Exclusion of Critical and Emerging Technologies: Cooperation in sensitive and emerging technologies is excluded to address concerns about disproportionate benefits to China.
5. Intellectual Property Concerns: A 2017 report revealed over 400 Chinese patents linked to projects under the Agreement, commercialized without U.S. benefits, prompting stricter terms.

What has the U.S. gained from the Agreement?

The U.S. has gained significantly from the Science and Technology Agreement with China:

1. Academic Contributions: The collaboration has resulted in an increase in co-authored research papers across various scientific fields, enhancing knowledge sharing and innovation.
2. Student Exchange Enhancement: The number of Chinese students in the U.S. grew from 2,770 in 1985 to 109,525 in 2000, fostering cultural and educational exchanges.
3. Economic Opportunity: Despite intellectual property concerns, the Agreement has broadened opportunities for scientific and technological advancements.
4. Strategic Leverage: It allowed the U.S. to monitor and respond to China’s rise in global science.

What does the Agreement teach about S&T cooperation?

The Agreement highlights that:

1. Bilateral S&T cooperation is vital for progress.
2. Success depends on capacity-building and sustained R&D investment.
3. It allows countries to address conflicts through cooperation.
4. China has grown from a “junior partner” in 1979 to a competitor in global science, demonstrating the transformative potential of such agreements.

Question for practice:

Examine how the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement has evolved over time to address challenges in research collaboration and intellectual property.