

The moon could possibly turn out to be a crucial source of rare earth metals, which are scarce on Earth, but are required to produce common electronics such as computers and lithium batteries, as well as defense products utilized by the U.S. ?If successful, these efforts will likely lead to attempts by Beijing and Moscow to exploit the moon’s natural resources,” DIA defense intelligence officer John Huth said at a briefing stating the report. “Both nations seek to broaden their space exploration initiatives, together and individually, with plans to explore the moon and Mars during the next 30 years. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin told Russian state-run media Tass in April that he’s planning to discuss with Chinese partners about collaboration on the moon before the end of May.Ĭhina’s and Russia’s interests in the moon were emphasized in a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report titled “Challenges to Security in Space 2022” issued in April. In March 2021, the Russian space agency Roscosmos approved a memorandum of understanding with China’s National Space Administration agreeing to work closely on an international lunar research station. China’s state-run media Global Times reported last December that the program was likely to be extended for another five years concluding in 2027. national security.īoth sides are presently in the last year of a five-year space cooperation program that began in 2018.

Outer space is one specific area of Sino-Russian cooperation that has major effects on U.S. He added that China has information and communications technologies “that are in no way inferior to the West” and “a great deal will ensure mutual benefits.” Russia-China space program a threat to US national security We must stop being dependent in any way on the supply of anything from the West,” Lavrov said. “If they want to offer something in terms of resuming relations, then we will seriously consider whether we will need it or not. Lavrov rejected the notion that Russia would be willing to enhance ties with Western nations soon. Imports of Russia’s liquefied natural gas surpassed 463,000 tons in April, an increase of 80 percent from the previous year.

The communist government’s buying of Russian oil, gas and coal increased 75 percent in April to over $6 billion, Bloomberg said in a recent report that cited Chinese customs data. Meanwhile, China’s energy imports from Russia have expanded in the current months. Last May 4, Sen. Dick Durbin, who is the co-chairman of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, told China’s ambassador to the United States Qin Gang that he was “extremely concerned” about China’s denial to “clearly condemn Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked war.” The two leaders also announced that there would be “no forbidden areas of cooperation” between the two countries.Ĭhina has not criticized Russia over its invasion of Ukraine but has been critical of the sanctions made by Western nations against Moscow.

Three weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing and Moscow renewed their bilateral relationship to a “no limits” partnership after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “This is an opportunity for us to realize our potential in the field of high technology, including nuclear energy, but also in a number of other areas,” he said. Lavrov cited that Russia and China have “common interests” in international affairs and both sides can gain the benefits of working jointly on technology. Lavrov made the statement while speaking to students at a high school in Moscow. “Now that the West has taken the position of a ‘dictator,’ our economic ties with China will grow even faster,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a press release Monday, May 23. Russia aims to strengthen its economic ties with China aside from sharing common interests and making technological developments together.
