An Analysis of the Historical Evolution of U.S.-China Science and Technology Relations (1949-2025)

Abstract
This paper focuses on the evolution of Sino-US S&T relations from 1949 to 2025. From the early period of the founding of the country to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, the United States' S&T policy towards China was mainly based on containment.After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, the two sides signed the Sino-US Agreement on S&T Cooperation and set up the Sino-US Joint Committee on S&T Cooperation, which formally started the official government-to-government cooperation.During the period of about 40 years from 1979 to 2017, Sino-US S&T relations have become increasingly close and complex, with the cooperation extending from the traditional fields to the frontiers of Science and technology, although accompanied by competition and defense, but the overall cooperation is mainly. 2017 Trump administration, the United States will be in the field of science and technology as the forefront of strategic competition with China, the implementation of the "full decoupling" type of containment strategy, the United States and China to enter a period of comprehensive confrontation of science and technology. After Biden took office, he continued the tone of confrontation, adopting the strategy of "small yard and high wall", implementing precise blockade in core technology areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and building technical barriers jointly with allies to escalate the game of science and technology between China and the United States into a systematic confrontation. This evolution not only reflects the changes in the international pattern and the power contrast between the two countries in different periods, but also highlights the strategic core position of science and technology in the competition among great powers.

Keywords
China-US relations, technological competition, technological strength

Cite this paper
Tingting Wu, An Analysis of the Historical Evolution of U.S.-China Science and Technology Relations (1949-2025) , SCIREA Journal of Sociology. Volume 9, Issue 3, June 2025 | PP. 241-255. 10.54647/sociology841451

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