POLITICS

US and China Team Up on Science, but with New Rules

USASat Dec 14 2024
The United States and China have decided to play nice in the science and tech sandbox for another five years. They've refreshed a 40-year-old agreement, but this time with some new rules. The pact, which was almost left in the past, now has more focus on basic research and keeps a closer eye on safety and security. The agreement has been under negotiation for months, with both sides wanting to make sure it's fair. The U. S. has been worried about China's tech game, so they've added some safeguards to protect their interests. The pact won't help with developing critical tech, though, like those fancy chips and AI stuff. Some people think not renewing the pact would've been a bad idea. They say it helps with big issues like climate change and public health, and it's important for academics from both countries to work together. But the relationship has been a bit chilly lately, with some rules from the past making things tough for Chinese researchers in the U. S. Both countries seem to want to keep the collaboration going, even with the current tension. It's like they're saying, "We can work together, but let's make sure it's safe for everyone. "

questions

    Could this renewal be a step towards a unified world government?
    Are the safeguards in the agreement merely a smokescreen for deeper agendas?
    How do the new guardrails for protecting researchers balance with academic freedom?

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