US-CHINA SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT
1. Context
On December 13, China and the U.S. agreed to extend their Agreement on Co-operation in Science and Technology for an additional five years, effective from August 27, 2024, and also signed a protocol to amend it. Observers have welcomed the development as an affirmation of science and technology cooperation between the two major powers.
2. Significance of bilateral Science& Technology agreements
- Science and technology partnerships between nations are typically formalized through dedicated bilateral agreements, which are often components of broader diplomatic frameworks.
- These arrangements, while not specifying exact funding commitments, create opportunities for collaboration that extend beyond government bodies.
- The agreements enable collaborative research projects, support the exchange of academic talent and researchers, foster partnerships between institutions, and establish shared research facilities. Currently, India maintains such collaborative arrangements with 83 partner nations.
- However, the mere signing of these agreements during diplomatic exchanges isn't enough - both participating countries must possess both the capabilities and genuine commitment to actively pursue the outlined collaboration.
- Superficial efforts rarely yield meaningful results. In terms of successful implementation, the Sino-American agreement stands out as perhaps the most effective example of such bilateral scientific cooperation
3. What is an S&T Agreement between US and China?
The US-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement (STA), first signed in 1979 and regularly renewed since then, was a landmark agreement that facilitated scientific collaboration between the two nations. However, I should note that my knowledge cutoff date is April 2024, so I may not have information about more recent developments.
Key aspects of the agreement included:
- Framework for joint research projects across fields like energy, climate science, agriculture, health, and basic research
- Exchange programs for scientists and researchers
- Sharing of scientific data and resources
- Joint operation of research facilities
- Protection of intellectual property rights
- Regular meetings of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation
The agreement was historically significant as it was one of the first bilateral agreements signed after the normalization of US-China relations. It helped establish numerous research partnerships between universities, government labs, and research institutions in both countries.
4. Renewed S&T agreements
- Recent tensions between the U.S. and China, especially regarding technology transfers and China's growing scientific and technological dominance, have significantly impacted their research collaboration. To address these concerns, the revised agreement includes measures to enhance researcher safety and data sharing reciprocity.
- The scope of cooperation is now limited to government-to-government interactions, fundamental research, and pre-defined areas of mutual benefit. Cooperation in critical and emerging technologies has been excluded to alleviate concerns about China gaining an unfair advantage at the U.S.'s expense.
- Experts have raised concerns about China's ability to leverage the research ecosystem more effectively and potential intellectual property rights violations.
- A Congressional Research Service report highlighted instances of China commercializing U.S.-funded research without providing corresponding benefits to the U.S.
- Faced with the options of a standard five-year renewal, termination, or a revised agreement with stricter conditions, the U.S. chose the latter. This suggests that despite significant concerns about the agreement's value to the U.S., the previous administration preferred to revise it rather than completely terminate or allow it to expire
5. Benefits to the U.S
- According to a 2024 report, China's R&D expenditure surged from $375 million in 1979 to $442 billion in 2021, second only to the U.S. The number of Chinese undergraduate students in the U.S. has also dramatically increased, from 2,770 in 1985 to 109,525 in 2000.
- Concurrently, there has been a substantial rise in the number and diversity of scientific publications co-authored by Chinese and U.S. researchers. Based on this evidence, Deborah Seligsohn from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies argues that the U.S. has benefited significantly from these collaborations.
- Despite potential for stricter conditions and limitations, the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to completely rescind the revised agreement.
- This is because it maintains a channel for continued scientific and technological cooperation, including facilitating researcher mobility, which is valuable for both countries.
- For the U.S., the agreement provides a means to influence China's scientific and technological advancement rather than completely relinquishing leverage.
- This analysis underscores the importance of capacity-building and sustained R&D investment in maximizing the benefits of bilateral science and technology agreements.
- Without these investments, participating nations may struggle to fully capitalize on the advantages offered by such collaborations.
- The agreement serves as a prime example of how China transitioned from a minor player in 1979 to a formidable competitor in 2024.
- Even if the U.S. views China's success as "extreme," the agreement necessitates a dialogue between the two countries on science, technology, and cooperation
6. Way Forward
China's strategic expansion of science and technology cooperation, particularly with the U.S., has transformed the country into a global scientific leader. While raising concerns about intellectual property rights and competition, these collaborations have also yielded significant benefits for both nations. The U.S.-China agreement, despite its complexities, serves as a crucial platform for continued dialogue and cooperation in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape. Moving forward, a balanced approach that addresses concerns while fostering mutually beneficial collaboration will be essential for navigating the intricate relationship between these two scientific superpowers
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For Prelims: Semiconductors, Artificial intelligence (AI), Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), and Chip 4 Alliance.
For Mains: 1. Examine the decline in China's chip imports from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, as part of the US-led "Chip 4 Alliance." Evaluate the significance of these trade numbers and their implications for China's semiconductor industry.
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Previous year question
1. A semiconductor differs from a conductor in that it has (UPSC IES 2016)
A. Only one path for the free electrons in the valence band
B. Only one path for holes in the conduction band
C. Two paths followed by free electrons and holes, one an ordinary path in the conduction band and the other one an extraordinary path in the valence band, respectively
D. Two paths followed by free electrons and holes, one an extraordinary path in the conduction band and the other one an ordinary path in the valence band, respectively
Answer: C
2. Which one of the following is a semiconductor device that is used to increase the power of the incoming signals by preserving the shape of the original signal? (UPSC CAPF 2022)
A. Register
B. Transistor
C.Flip-flop
D. Diode
Answer: B
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Source: The Hindu
