Lecture Abstract:

The Ukrainian crisis and the confrontation between Russia and the West have affected the Russian-Chinese security relations in a significant way. The previous negotiations concerning the Russian arms exports to China were sped up; new potentially important projects in dual use technology, defense and space were started. The most important developments have occurred in the military to military relations. Number of contacts between the two militaries has increased with the Chinese actively participated by a set of competitions and contests organized by the Russian MoD (best tank crew, best infantry unit etc.). The old traditional yearly exercises (Peace Mission; Naval Cooperation) are becoming more and more sophisticated.  The two countries are paying a lot of attention for developing  a good level of inter-operability most likely for joint reaction to the contingencies in the Central Asia and the Middle East. However the degree of support of each other’s positions the areas of conflict the Eastern Europe and the  South China Sea remains limited.

About the Speaker:

Vasily Kashin is a senior research fellow in the Institute of Far Eastern Studies in the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also works in the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies, Higher School of Economics. Currently visiting scholar at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.