U.S. Funding Fuels Over 1,000 Chinese Patents Amid Tensions

Since 2010, research funded by U.S. government agencies has led to over 1,000 patents for China-based inventors, including sensitive fields like biotechnology. This has spurred calls to renegotiate the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement. Critics argue this cooperation disproportionately benefits China, amid concerns of national security.

Over 1,000 patents have been granted to China-based inventors since 2010, backed by research funded by various U.S. government agencies, reveals data from the U.S. patent office. These patents include critical fields like biotechnology and semiconductors, heightening calls to reevaluate the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office disclosed this information to the House of Representatives' select committee on China, prompting concerns about the risks of renewing the longstanding pact. From 2010 to the first quarter of 2024, 1,020 patents involved U.S. funding, linked to Chinese inventors. However, it's unclear if U.S. entities share these patents.

Among the patents were 197 in pharmaceuticals and 154 in biotechnology. The Department of Health and Human Services contributed the most funding, resulting in 356 patents. This revelation has sparked alarm amongst U.S. lawmakers, who argue that taxpayer money has inadvertently fueled innovation in China, affecting strategic industries.

(With inputs from agencies.)