U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 13, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12510 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Karen M. Sutter; Emily G. Blevins |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
On January 31, 1979, weeks after the United States and the
People’s Republic of China (PRC, or China) established
diplomatic relations, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and PRC
leader Deng Xiaoping signed the U.S.-China Science and
Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA), the first major
agreement between the two governments. The STA is not a
treaty requiring Senate ratification. The STA was a part of
U.S. strategy at the time to counter the influence of the
Soviet Union by building ties with China. During the 1980s
and 1990s, U.S. strategy vis-a-vis China shifted toward
enhancing science and technology (S&T) ties (see text box)
as part of a broader U.S. effort to integrate China into the
global system and influence its development trajectory and
behavior. President Barack Obama expanded S&T ties with
China to address global challenges in areas such as health,
energy, and climate change. Since then, the U.S. posture
toward China has increasingly emphasized protecting and
advancing U.S. interests in the context of China as a
strategic competitor. STA proponents and critics both say
that the current STA did not reflect this U.S. policy shift or
U.S. concerns about PRC S&T practices and industrial
policies. Some say the most recent STA did not address
China’s growing technological capabilities and restrictive
and potentially risky operating environment for crossborder research.
When the STA was set to lapse in August 27, 2023, the
parties signed successive six-month extensions to provide
time for negotiating new terms. The STA lapsed on August
27, 2024. On December 13, 2024, the Department of State
announced that parties had signed a protocol to amend and
extend the STA for five years. Congress might consider its
oversight role with regard to the STA, including U.S. STArelated activities and negotiations with China.
