Dost Muhammad Barrech
THE political pundits, after the end of Cold War prognosticated that the world order would be a unipolar one dominated by the US solely. Within two decades, after the end of Cold War, unipolar world order altered in multipolar world order in the shape of emerging China and resurgent Russia. In order to counter the US hegemony, China and Russia see a great deal of convergence in their national interests. Technologically speaking, 21st century would be the century of science and technology, research and development. China and Russia, therefore, strive to make technological ties to accelerate their technological ascendency.
Chinese and Russian technological cooperation is not a new phenomenon; both states cooperated in early years of the Cold War. In 1950, the Soviet Union provided large-scale assistance to China consisted of expertise for Chinese enterprises, equipment, technology, provided thousands of highly qualified Soviet specialists working across China. The technological cooperation involved joint research and sharing of scientific information that reinvigorated Chinese industries. Resultantly, Chinese defence industry benefited massively from Soviet Union’s sophisticated technology. However, during (1956-1665) the divergence of interests stalled their relations that successfully resumed after the end of Cold War.
China is a best selling market for Russian arms sales; it has recently acquired S-400 advanced air defence system from Russia. It also tilts towards Russia to obtain aero-engines. China by learning from Russian technological advancement has made a considerable headway and surpassed Russia in various sectors and technologies. Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are considered more sophisticated than that of Russian. China and Russia are deeply seeing the security threats particularly emanating from the US are willing to cooperate military-to-military relationship. Both states in September 2019 agreed to jointly carry out military and military–technical cooperation. Russian President Putin in October 2019 articulated that Russia was ready to aid China in developing a missile defence warning system. Sharing such technology with China will all means buttress its defense capability.
Chinese and Russian strategic partnership is technology and innovation-oriented. In June 2016 both states signed Memorandum of Understanding related to the Domain of Innovation and also launched new forums and mechanisms attributed to consolidating joint projects and partnerships among the companies. Sino-Russian relationship has been deepening in other crucial areas such as the development of industrial science and technology (S&T) dialogues, exchanges, parks and the expansion of academic cooperation. However, in 2016, the plan for the China–Russia Innovation Park was inaugurated aimed at promoting research and development of new technologies, social infrastructure and the integration of new tech. June 2016, in the Xixian New District of Xian the China–Russia Silk Road Innovation Park was established for the purpose of making an advanced industrial system constructing innovation and entrepreneurship centre promoting openness and conducive environment for the Silk Road Economic Belt.
The prevailing tug-of- war between the US and China over the Huawei mobile company has paved the way for counterbalance cooperation between China and Russia. Russian President Putin termed the US feud over Chinese Huawei Company as “first technological war of the coming digital age”. Huawei, thus, intends not to rely mainly on the US, expanding its engagement with Russia. China, since 2008 has opened centres in Moscow, Kazan St Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Novosibirsk.
Huawei Company has commenced scrutinizing research capabilities of Russian universities to launch joint projects. Russian National Technology Initiative on 19 August, 2019 signed an agreement with Huawei Company to flourish high-tech development in the country. China recently has announced fourfold increase in Research and Development staff in Russia. Huawei Company, currently in Russia is having two local R & D Centres in Moscow and St Petersburg where 400 and 150 people are working, respectively. China plans to launch three new R&D centres in Russia. Russia after Europe and North America would be among the top three Huawei R&D centres.
Meanwhile, “Made in China 2025” initiative of China cementing Chinese industrial sector is considered one of the best in the world. The US is wary of the “Made in China 2025” perceiving it surpassing the US global dominance. The US think-tank, the Council on Foreign Relations views “[Made in China 2025] is a real existential threat to U.S. technological leadership.”
In the foreseeable future, China is expected to make further inroads in Russia for its R&D and S&T proficiencies and Russia would be happier to absorb such high-tech capabilities. Russia desires to counter the US technological advancement will desperately be acquiring Chinese cyber security sphere .Realistically speaking, a resurgent Russia preoccupied with global ambitions and its historical grievances with China in near future is likely to cause a trust deficit with its counterpart. The Western democratic states are also skeptical of the Sino-Russian Technological Cooperation of the authoritarian regimes as a threat to their democracies, human rights and cyber security.
—The writer works at the Institute of Strategic Studies, a think-tank based in Islamabad.
