US seeks to extend longstanding scientific research agreement with China

In face of opposition from some Republican lawmakers, state department announces new terms for science and technology agreement (STA)

The US is seeking a six-month extension to a decades-old science and technology agreement with China so that it can undergo negotiations with Beijing to strengthen" the pact, the state department has said.

The landmark deal, signed when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979 and renewed about every five years since, has led to the geopolitical rivals cooperating across a range of scientific and technical fields.