Activities
Divisions
Performances
Activities
Divisions
Performances
The US House Foreign Affairs Committee approves legislation to examine US-China scientific agreement, predicting a further strain in relations
Even amidst the current technological conflict between the US and China, there were aspects that both nations managed to collaborate on, courtesy of the scientific and technological accords between them. Nevertheless, with escalating tensions, the future may not be as seamless.
On Thursday, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee collectively gave the green light to a piece of legislation. The goal of this bill is to enhance the scrutiny of Congress over future engagements of the State Department concerning science and technology deals with China
The legislation, put forward by Republican Representative Andy Barr from Kentucky, requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress with comprehensive details about such deals, encompassing their advantages and potential hazards, before they are pursued.
Should the proposal be implemented, the government would be required to pause for a minimum of 30 days after submission before advancing with these contracts. This gives the Congress time to assess potential threats to national security and consider issues related to human rights.
The bill's green light from the committee, sealed by a unanimous 50-0 vote, paves the way for additional legislative measures. However, a concrete date for a House floor vote remains undecided, just like the one for the Senate.
The proposed legislation might hinder the regular renewal of the Science and Technology Agreement (STA), a pact between the US and China that started in 1979. This was the first agreement of its kind between the two countries, initially ratified by US President Jimmy Carter and Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping. Typically renewed every half-decade, the STA has been extended several times for six-month periods, including once in the previous August and again in February.
The existing accord has proven beneficial for researchers from both the United States and China, who have enjoyed financial, legal, and political backing for many years, promoting joint scientific efforts. Supporters contend that the STA shields American researchers in China and simplifies research in the US by offering access to vital Chinese databases, especially in areas such as health studies.
Nonetheless, some critics contend that China's supervision and regulation of science and technology initiatives within its territory have enabled it to take advantage of the STA. They suggest that China has used this advantage to fill in scientific voids and use the fragmented nature of American academia to gain a competitive edge in fields like electric cars and renewable energy.
Advocates of the legislation underscore the necessity to gauge risks and measure the STA's influence on U.S. innovation. Congressman Mike Gallagher, a Republican from Wisconsin who heads the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, stressed China's exploitation of American scientific transparency to pilfer research and promote its own objectives, such as military growth.
The cross-party legislation is aimed at the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, suggesting penalties for all 205 members of its Central Committee and their grown-up family members. The bill was put forth by Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican Representative, and was passed with a vote of 28-22. The legislation grants the president the power to exempt sanctions if Beijing shows progress in different areas, such as the handling of Uygur Muslims and its conduct in relation to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Advocates for the law see it as an essential measure to promote accountability from the Chinese Communist Party. However, critics such as New York Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, argue that these extensive sanctions could negatively impact US-China relations. They believe it might hinder American officials and businesses from interacting with Chinese peers for the benefit of US interests.
Look for us on YouTube
Highlighted Programs
Associated Articles
Conflict at the US-Mexico frontier: Immigrants, resisting Texas' recent immigration statute, breach barbed wires, engage with border patrol
Apple's CEO Tim Cook states that China plays a 'crucial' part in the company's operations and promises increased investment
China and Russia come to an agreement with the Houthis for the protection of ships in the Red Sea
Medical Breakthrough: The first-ever transplant of a genetically-altered pig kidney into a living patient
Conflict at the US-Mexico frontier: Immigrants, resisting Texas' recent immigration statute, breach barbed wires, engage with border patrol
Apple's CEO Tim Cook states that China plays a 'crucial' part in the company's operations and promises increased investment
China and Russia come to an agreement with the Houthis for the protection of ships in the Red Sea
Medical Breakthrough: The first-ever transplant of a genetically-altered pig kidney into a living patient
is available on YouTube
All rights safeguarded by Firstpost in 2024.
+ There are no comments
Add yours