Bloomberg: Russia's General Staff, Security Council Nervous Over Dependence On China
- 19.04.2023, 9:41
Russia has backed itself into a corner.
High-ranking Russian officials have begun to worry about Russia's growing technological dependence on China and the associated risks to the country's information security, Bloomberg writes, citing a Summer 2022 report from the Ministry of Defense.
According to the agency, the report cites the opinion of some government officials that Huawei and China Mobile Ltd could dominate the Russian market as a result of US and EU sanctions for the war in Ukraine and the lack of alternative supplies. The dominance of Chinese companies in Russia's telecommunications sector poses a threat to Russia's security, officials say.
The concerns of government officials are shared by several General Staff officers, as well as some members of the Security Council, EU officials familiar with the document told Bloomberg. Those concerns are in line with what the US has previously said. In May 2019, the US Department of Commerce imposed sanctions on Huawei, accusing the company of engaging in espionage and undermining national security through its equipment for 5G networks.
Russian officials also fear that reliance on China could hinder the development of domestic industry. Microchips and radio-electronic devices are particularly vulnerable groups. In light of this, Russia is trying to produce critical equipment for its own needs.
At the same time, a report by the Ministry of Digital Economy reveals that Russian and Chinese officials have negotiated the purchase of radio electronics, base stations, microchips, materials used in semiconductors and other technologies by Russia. They also discussed supplying technical components from China, increasing production capacity in Russia and Chinese investment in Russian industry.
According to European officials, Russia has "backed itself into a corner" and has been cut off from external markets because of sanctions. The U.S. and the EU continue to tighten sanctions to prevent Russia from obtaining electronic components through third countries. Chinese companies, for their part, are trying not to violate Western restrictions, Bloomberg notes.
During his visit to Moscow in March this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the possibility of strengthening science, technology and innovation cooperation at a meeting with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. China's merchandise exports to Russia grew by 12.8% to $76.1 billion in 2022.