On December 13, the representatives of the Chinese and US governments signed a protocol in Beijing to amend the Agreement Between the United States and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology (STA) and extend it for an additional five years, effective from August 27, 2024.
"Scientific cooperation between China and the US benefits both sides," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. The STA is one of the first government-to-government agreements signed between the two countries after establishment of diplomatic ties, and has been a strong buttress for scientific exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
According to Lin, the extension is in the interest of both peoples, and what the international community hopes to see. It will not only contribute to both countries' science and technology advancement and socioeconomic development, but also enable China and the US to respond to global challenges together, which will in turn benefit people around the world.
"We hope the US will work with China to earnestly implement the agreement so that the two sides' cooperation in science and technology can truly deliver for both countries and the world," Lin said.