Experts call for US-China science cooperation to overcome hurdles

XING WEI/FOR CHINA DAILY The science and technology relationship between the United States and China has entered a new era of complexity and uncertainty after a 45-year-old agreement, long considered a cornerstone of cooperation, expired on Aug 27. The strengths of the private sector in advancing scientific and technological development, however, have been challenged by the US government's "national security" measures aimed at containing China's development in science and technology. Recent policy recommendations from the US House of Representatives' select committee on China have described US dependence on Chinese pharmaceutical supply chains as a "distinct national security risk", with some lawmakers proposing to block Chinese companies, such as BGI Group and WuXi AppTec, from future US federal contracting and government technology procurement. Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, criticized the US export controls for causing an "intensely difficult problem" for US tech companies, particularly those that are in Silicon Valley. "We live in a political world; companies have to recognize that a potential future conflict between the United States and China would make it impossible for most international trade and investment to continue," he said.