Xi-Biden summit: leaders agree to revisit historic science and technology pact
- The agreement signed in 1979 has survived 44 years of diplomatic ups and downs but could lapse within months if not renegotiated
- During their meeting the two presidents stress the importance of scientific cooperation to the countries’ common interests
The decision – one of several positive outcomes from Wednesday’s summit in California – was announced by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi after the Xi-Biden talks at a secluded country estate just south of San Francisco.
The STA was the first major pact to be signed by the US and China when they established relations in 1979. It survived 44 years of diplomatic ups and downs between Beijing and Washington and was renewed every five years – until this year.
Right before it was due to expire in August, Washington extended the pact for six months so the two sides could “renegotiate the deal” and address concerns over issues such as research reciprocity and the military use of high technologies.
At the time, the US State Department said the terms of the STA needed to be “amended and strengthened”, without specifying what changes were under consideration.
During their meeting, both leaders stressed the importance of cooperation in science and technology.