US Signs Updated Science and Technology Pact With China

The renewal of the pact includes updates to protect U.S. intellectual property and no longer covers cooperation on cutting edge research.

A laboratory technician works on samples to be tested for COVID-19 at the Fire Eye laboratory, a COVID-19 testing facility, in Wuhan, China, on Aug. 5, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images

After months of negotiation, the United States on Dec. 13 signed an agreement with China to renew the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) for another five years.

The State Department stated that the agreement, which lapsed in August, has been updated to strengthen protections for intellectual property and researchers.