Republican senators are demanding an end to a long-standing science and technology agreement with China, citing national security concerns.
At a Glance
- GOP senators urge Biden administration to revoke 1979 science accord with China
- Agreement recently renewed for five years despite national security worries
- Senators fear U.S. research could be co-opted by Chinese entities
- State Department claims new safeguards protect American interests
- Experts warn ending cooperation could limit U.S. scientific opportunities
Republican Senators Sound Alarm on U.S.-China Science Pact
A group of Republican senators are pressing the Biden administration to terminate a long-standing science and technology agreement with China. The accord, dating back to 1979, was recently renewed for another five years, sparking concerns about potential threats to American research sovereignty and intellectual property.
Led by Senator Jim Risch, the GOP lawmakers argue that the cooperation agreement is outdated and puts American research at risk of being exploited by Chinese entities. The renewal, made just before President Biden’s term ends, has raised eyebrows among critics who suggest it may deny the incoming administration a chance to review the accord thoroughly.
Origins and Concerns Surrounding the Agreement
The science and technology agreement was initially signed in 1979 as part of efforts to counter Soviet influence and coincided with the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. It has been extended multiple times since, with the most recent five-year renewal raising alarm among some lawmakers.
Senators John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Todd Young, and Bill Hagerty joined Risch in signing a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing their deep concerns about the agreement’s potential to compromise U.S. national security interests.
State Department’s Defense and Ongoing Debate
In response to the mounting criticism, the State Department has asserted that the renewed agreement now includes stronger safeguards to protect U.S. interests. Officials claim that the new version has a narrower scope, focusing solely on basic research and incorporating additional measures to prevent the unauthorized transfer of sensitive information or technology.
However, the Republican senators remain unconvinced, arguing that these measures are insufficient to safeguard American intellectual property and prevent knowledge transfer to potential adversaries. The State Department has not yet commented directly on the letter from the senators, leaving questions about the administration’s stance on the matter unanswered.
Expert Perspectives on Scientific Collaboration
While the lawmakers push for the termination of the agreement, experts in the field offer a different perspective. Deborah Seligsohn, a political science professor, argues that the United States now stands to benefit more from cooperation with China than in previous decades. This view suggests that ending such agreements could potentially limit America’s access to valuable scientific collaborations and advancements.
“The irony is that as China has become our peer, we have so much more to gain from working with Chinese science than we did in earlier eras, and yet at this moment, when we have the most to gain, there is a demand that we shut the door,” said Seligsohn.
The debate over the U.S.-China science accord highlights the complex balance between maintaining international scientific cooperation and protecting national interests. As tensions between the two nations continue to evolve, the future of this long-standing agreement remains uncertain, with potential implications for global scientific progress and geopolitical relations.
