The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that there has been an agreement between the United States and China to prolong a science and technology agreement for an additional six months.

A spokesperson for Voice of America reported that the U.S. government, represented by the Department of State, is in discussions with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to enhance and prolong the safeguards outlined in the U.S.-PRC Science and Technology Agreement (STA). In February 2024, the two countries reached an agreement for an extra six-month extension of the U.S.-PRC STA.

According to the spokesperson, the agreement will remain valid for the next six months as we continue to engage in discussions.

The STA has been declared by U.S. officials as a set of reliable guidelines for scientific collaboration between the U.S. and China at a government level.

Although the agreement promotes cooperation between the United States and China in fields that are beneficial to the U.S., American officials recognize the difficulties presented by China’s national plans for science and technology and its laws within the country.

Detractors, such as representatives in the United States government, highlight the limitations China has placed on data and the absence of open communication regarding scientific discoveries. The U.S. is also worried about the potential for China to use joint research for military purposes.

The State of Technical Agreement (STA) was initially approved in 1979 by former American President Jimmy Carter and former leader of the People’s Republic of China, Deng Xiaoping.

The contract has been extended approximately every five years since its start, and an additional 5-year renewal took place in 2018. In August of last year, it was given a 6-month extension while representatives from both nations engaged in talks to revise and enhance the conditions.