A New Sino-Russian High-tech Partnership
“A New Sino-Russian High-tech Partnership“
Speakers: Bendett, S. (CNA); Kania, E. (Center for a New American Security (CNAS))
Date: 15 November 2019
Speaker Session Preview
SMA hosted a speaker session presented by Ms. Elsa Kania (Center for a New American Security (CNAS)) and Mr. Samuel Bendett (CNA) as a part of its Future of Global Competition & Conflict Speaker Series. Mr. Bendett began by stating that China and Russia have not only expanded their military cooperation, but they are also undertaking more extensive technological cooperation in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, biotechnology, new media, and the digital economy. He then explained the genesis of this new high-tech partnership. Mr. Bendett stated that as NATO and other western nations distanced themselves from Russia, Russia began looking towards China as a potential partner. Moreover, China appeared to be a logical choice from Russia’s perspective due to its emergence as a key player in the global technological realm and as a focal point for the economic flow of high-tech products. Russia also hoped that it could capitalize on China’s ability to effectively commercialize intellectual products (IP). He then stated that China also benefits greatly from this high-tech partnership. For instance, China recognized that Russian scientific education is among the best in the world; therefore, China began funneling capital into Russian consortiums and universities in return for access to Russia’s highly-skilled scientists and engineers. Ms. Kania proceeded to state that it is evident that China and Russia are seeing interesting convergences in their strengths and weaknesses and that innovation has become one of the key elements in the expansion and strengthening of this relationship. However, from an outsider perspective, it is often difficult to discern which facets of this partnership are real and which are a façade. Moreover, the durability of this relationship is unclear, as this high-tech relationship is still fairly new. Ms. Kania, however, stated that it is likely that Russia and China’s military and high-tech relationships will continue to grow and evolve in the future, which will pose challenges to the US in the scope of great power competition. To conclude, Ms. Kania advised that US decision makers consider 1) greater monitoring and understanding of these nations’ activities in order to avoid being blindsided, 2) identifying and monitoring the ways in which China and Russia could utilize their academic partnerships, 3) working towards gaining a greater situational awareness among allies and partners, and 4) understanding potential targeting of our technologies.
Speaker Session Audio Recording
To access an audio recording of the session, please email Ms. Nicole Omundson (nomundson@nsiteam.com).
Their report can be found at https://www.aspi.org.au/report/new-sino-russian-high-tech-partnership
Samuel Bendett and Elsa Kania Bios
Mr. Samuel Bendett
Samuel Bendett is an Analyst with the CNA Adversary Analysis Group, where he is a member of the Russia Studies Program. His work involves research on the Russian defense and technology developments, such as Russian naval capabilities, unmanned military systems and artificial intelligence, as well as Russian decision-making calculus during crises. He is also a Member of CNA’s Center for Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence. Samuel is also a Fellow in Russia Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council, where he conducts research on the Russian unmanned military systems and artificial intelligence. Prior to joining CNA, Samuel worked on the emerging and disruptive technologies for the Department of Defense. His previous experience includes working for public, private and non-profit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, defense and security issues. Samuel’s analyses, views and commentary on Russian military robotics, unmanned systems and artificial intelligence capabilities appear in the C4ISRnet, DefenseOne, War on the Rocks, Breaking Defense, The National Interest, War Is Boring, and The Strategy Bridge. He has native fluency in Russian. He was named an official “Mad Scientist” by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Samuel received his M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, Tufts University and B.A. in Politics and English from Brandeis University.
Ms. Elsa Kania
Elsa B. Kania is an Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and a Non-Resident Fellow at ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre. Her research focuses on Chinese military innovation and technological development. At CNAS, she contributes to the Artificial Intelligence and Global Security Initiative and the “Securing Our 5G Future” program, while acting as a member of the research team for the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and National Security. Elsa was a 2018 Fulbright Specialist with ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre. Elsa has been invited to testify before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and the National Commission on Service. She was named an official “Mad Scientist” by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Currently, Elsa is a PhD student in Harvard University’s Department of Government, and she is also a graduate of Harvard College.
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