In the world of international diplomacy and collaboration, the Biden administration finds itself at a crossroads. It faces a pivotal decision regarding the extension of the Science and Technology Agreement, or STA, with China. While pressure from some United States lawmakers emphasises the potential risks, the administration is seeking a short-term extension to maintain the pact.
The Historical Significance of the Science and Technology Agreement
The Science and Technology Agreement, or STA, was signed in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. It has been a cornerstone of scientific cooperation between the two nations, making its renewal a matter of significant consequence. As the first accord between the two nations after the normalisation of diplomatic relations, its roots are deeply intertwined with the evolving landscape of international diplomacy.
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The Broader Implications of a Lapsing STA
The STA, traditionally renewed every five years, was on the brink of expiring before the Biden administration’s decision to seek a short-term extension. A lapse in the STA carries significant consequences, extending well beyond diplomatic circles. Its expiration would not only endanger government-to-government collaboration but also hinder academic cooperation between two of the world’s biggest economies.
The U.S. and Chinese governments have the STA as the umbrella agreement for their science and technology relationship. This means that it has a pivotal role in facilitating cooperation on various fronts, including climate change and public health.
Letting the STA expire would not only affect government collaboration but also other areas, according to Deborah Seligsohn, an assistant political science professor at Villanova University and a former counsellor on technology, environment, science, and health at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. In fact, it would also put other science cooperation initiatives at risk. This can potentially undermine vital global efforts in various scientific domains.
China’s Perspective on the STA
The STA is more than just another diplomatic agreement for China. All science cooperation with the United States, extending to academic and research institutions, is underpinned by the enabling document that is the STA. A step towards improving bilateral relations is how Chinese officials view the agreement’s renewal, and they have expressed their desire to see it happen.
China’s Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, spoke at the Aspen Security Forum and emphasised that a concrete step towards enhancing relations between the two countries is renewing the STA. Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, highlighted the irreplaceable role the agreement plays in promoting scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges.
Challenges and Opposition to Renewal
The renewal of the STA has faced significant resistance from some lawmakers who argue that cooperation in sensitive technological fields could potentially advance China’s military modernisation. A letter from ten Republican members of Congress was sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken in June, asking him to let the agreement expire. They said they were worried about the dangers that China’s plans in science and technology could cause and how they could harm U.S. national security.
Prominent lawmakers signed the letter, such as Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, who are the chairs of the House Republican Conference and the House Select Committee on China, respectively. It suggests that letting the STA expire is a necessary step to protect American interests.
In a separate letter, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida objected to the agreement’s renewal. He cited China’s human rights violations, lack of transparency during the pandemic, and disregard for intellectual property rights as reasons. He argued that cooperation with a nation that conflicts with American values is untenable.
Implications of Not Renewing the STA
One of the factors contributing to the resistance against the STA’s renewal is the remarkable progress China has made in the fields of science and technology since the agreement’s inception. Recent data has revealed that Chinese researchers have published a greater proportion of the world’s top 1% of most cited scientific papers than any other country since 2019.
Allowing the STA to lapse carries several significant implications. Firstly, it could signal to Chinese officials that the United States is more inclined towards genuine decoupling than merely de-risking the relationship. This shift could have far-reaching consequences for future diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Supporters of the Agreement
Amid the debates and resistance surrounding the STA’s renewal, proponents of the agreement highlight numerous instances of successful U.S.-China collaboration that have directly benefited the American population. One such example is a large-scale study in China that revealed the critical role of folic acid supplements in reducing the risk of spina bifida and neural tube defects. These findings have influenced health guidelines for women’s pregnancies worldwide.
Collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency has also led to significant reductions in local air pollution in China, which has been affecting air quality in the U.S. West Coast. Furthermore, enhanced influenza surveillance in China, made possible by support from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has contributed to the development of annual flu vaccines.
Conclusion
While concerns about the potential security risks loom large, supporters of the agreement emphasise the numerous instances of successful collaboration that have positively impacted American lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Joint Programmes Between China and the United States Under the Science and Technology Agreement?
Examples of some of the joint programmes between the two countries under the STA include The Clean Energy Research Centre, The U.S.-China Cooperative Arrangement for the Summer Institute in China Programme, and the Fossil Energy Protocol.
What Are Some of the Academic Consequences of Letting the STA Expire?
Not renewing the agreement could further alienate Chinese scientists and graduate students, many of whom have already left the United States.
Why Should the STA Be Renewed?
The STA is a key agreement that allows the two countries to work together on science and technology issues that matter to both of them, such as climate change, public health, energy, and agriculture. It also helps them build trust and understanding with each other.