China- Russia space cooperation highlights high level of political trust: Russian scholar

Editor’s Note:

When announcing the Shenzhou- 12 manned spaceship to be launched on Thursday, the China Manned Space Agency on Wednesday mentioned that China has engaged in broad cooperation with countries including Russia. Factors such as uncertainty over US foreign policy “are pushing Russia and China to expand space cooperation,” said Danil Bochkov ( Bochkov), an expert at the Russian International Affairs Council. What is the importance of China- Russia cooperation in space? What do China’s efforts to explore the space guided by the idea of building community with a shared future for mankind mean for the international space industry? Bochkov shard his insights with Global Times ( GT) reporter

Lu Yuanzhi.

GT: What is the significance of ChinaRussia cooperation in space? How will the uncertainty over US foreign policy you mentioned influence China- Russia space cooperation?

Bochkov: Russia- China cooperation in space presents a huge importance measured by two domains of countries’ expanding bilateral cooperation - technological and strategic. The former adds to a longer list of other scientific areas which have been witnessing growing interactions between Moscow and Beijing lately. It is nuclear energy cooperation marked by the recent launch of a new project in China and both states’ decisions to mutually incorporate partners’ technologies into own space flights and collaboration in deep space research.

That point has been repeatedly enshrined in most diplomatic publications following high- level meetings and was even specifically mentioned by President Putin in his recent interview for NBC reflecting on the special strategic nature of “unprecedentedly high level” of relationship between two states. Joint Lunar station project unveiled in March further reinforces this point representing close technological interconnection of Russia- China space technologies.

Furthermore, it highlights high levels of political trust, leading to the second point of strategic importance of bilateral space research cooperation. Exchanging sensitive technologies of national security significance proves the existence of solid trust bond between Moscow and Beijing, and adds to other similar cooperative areas.

GT: What is the difference between China and the US in their attitudes and visions toward international cooperation? What is revealed by this contrast? Bochkov: Obviously, the US is transmitting its foreign policy tools and vision to other areas including space research and cooperation with other nations, though NASA has not been supportive of such a position slamming it several times and calling to reconsider the 2011 Wolf Amendment banning NASA from engaging in common projects with China. True, China from the very launch of its space research station project has been promoting an inclusive character of the endeavor inviting all UN member states onboard.

It is also widely shared by Moscow, which also expects space- research initiatives to be more open and cooperative, not facilitating “NATO- in- space political projects.” It is exemplified by such outstanding initiatives of bilateral cooperation as the International Lunar Research Station, which also comes with foreign policy implications.

By contrast, Russia and China have prioritized international cooperation, openness and inclusiveness of their joint Moon research initiative, which speaks volumes of corresponding positions of both states on global interaction as opposed to the US approach.

GT: Some US analysts and media outlets have said Russia threatens to leave the International Space Station and China’s new Mars rover will accelerate a space race. What’s your take on such narratives?

Bochkov: It seems to be a fair judgment if measured against the history of international relations. In a situation of global competition or rivalry, all actors seek to guarantee their supremacy to avoid direct challenges from the opponent. That is why the advances of one party in a particular area of competition naturally pokes the other side to rush onto bridging the gap or even surpassing the competitor in order to secure its own positions. The US under Joe Biden has recognized China as its “biggest threat,” and NATO for the first time has just branded it a military challenge – all these moves place China under the same classification the USSR used to have in the zeniths of Cold War time, when it was racing against the US for dominance in all domains possible.

China is making global records with its recent success stories in space research such as lunar rover return Chang’e- 5 mission that is known to be the third in history. It has been pushing with Mars research becoming second national in the world to land its rover on the planet surface. Now Beijing is constructing its own space station and embracing plans to send manned missions to Moon in order to become “major spacefaring power by 2030.” Such ambitious endeavors inevitably present huge challenges to Washington.

GT: Space belongs to all earthlings. International cooperation in outer space is an important part of China’s efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. How do you view China’s such initiative? What does it mean for the international space industry? Bochkov: China’s inclusively open attitude towards other countries to participate in its space research initiates, which is also noticed by European partners, is a positive sign of more future opportunities for grand cooperative projects in space exploration. China should better articulate its positive message or as Xi Jinping recently described it a “loveable” image of cooperation to other states and fence off some EU- shared bias and preoccupation over China’s goal to become global hegemon replacing the US. If it is completed timely and thoroughly - China’s initiatives may be welcomed globally and benefit world space exploration.