Relaxed rules for U.S.-China tech dealings spark controversy

[OhioChick]

Source: C/Net News.com

February 20, 2008 12:43 PM PST

WASHINGTON--The Bush administration sought to deflect criticism Wednesday over a new policy that clears hurdles for certain companies in China to receive exports of American-made multigigaflop computers, lasers, and other "sensitive" technologies with potential military uses.

Under rules that took effect last summer, some companies in China are--or will be--permitted to bypass normal legal procedures for receiving exports of certain restricted hardware and software from the United States. That list includes certain chemicals that could be used to build weapons, telecommunications equipment designed to operate at very high and very low temperatures, and computers with processor performance speeds "exceeding 0.5 weighted teraflops."

Since the Cold War, the United States has limited export of certain so-called "dual use" products that could have both military and civilian applications. The new privilege--called "Validated End User" status--applies exclusively to companies in China. They must agree to submit to a "comprehensive" review process by numerous U.S. government agencies, both before and during their participation in the program, and have a record of using American technologies "responsibly." Five companies have landed that status so far.

At an event hosted by the conservative Heritage Foundation here on Wednesday, Commerce Department Undersecretary Mario Mancuso and an adviser defended the new policy as a key part of the United States' extremely complex relationship with China. The goal, Mancuso said, is to balance national security interests with economic ones: after all, China is quickly becoming one of the world's largest economies and the United States' biggest trading partner.


Read more: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9875392-7.html?tag=nefd.top

[Hydra]

1. Yeah, just what we need to be selling to them

OTOH, at least we won't be hearing about "stolen tech" anymore- it won't be an under the table thing anymore.

[Hobarticus]

2. One more RW talking point, busted

Now Clinton isn't the only POTUS to sell tech to the Chinese. How will they spin this one away?

[trthnd4jstc]

3. Extraordinary!

China will become the Next Superpower. I do not understand why we trade with China. If one has ever read any of China's 5 year plans, if you have, many show that they plan to overtake the US. We let their spys come over here and do industrial, and military espionage. Why? I sometimes wonder if the Secret Government wishes for China to be the dominant force in the World. It seems every bit of techological advantage the US has had is now in China's hands. I think the DLC's China policy is dead wrong. I believe we are only making China more powerful by allowing them in the WTO. China is still not playing fair with their monetary policy. Finally, when I say China, I mean the Chinese Government, not the Chinese People. The Chinese Government is primarily of 2 major groups of people: Their Army, and The Chinese Communist Party.