The recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China in Moscow saw the two leaders discuss their plans for mutual cooperation between their countries. A notable topic that was discussed was their ambition to achieve joint leadership in the field of information technology.
In his speech, Putin emphasized the importance of technological sovereignty as a key factor in the sustainability of their development. He proposed the path of improving strategic sectoral partnerships, which would enable the two countries to become world leaders in the field of information technology, network security, and artificial intelligence.
The joint statement issued by the two states listed several points aimed at deepening partnerships and strategic interaction. The parties intend to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of scientific and technical innovations, expand industry exchange of personnel, realize the potential for interaction in the field of fundamental and applied research, and introduce the results of scientific and technical developments into production.
In addition, the two countries plan to conduct joint breakthrough research in advanced areas of science and technology and implement new models of cooperation in technological and industrial areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, and fifth-generation communication networks.
One significant aspect of their cooperation involves the creation of a multilateral, equal, and transparent global Internet governance system while ensuring the sovereignty and security of all countries in this area. This commitment shows that both countries acknowledge the importance of Internet governance and aim to ensure that all countries have equal rights and opportunities in this regard.
The joint leadership in the field of information technology that Russia and China aim to achieve is expected to bring significant benefits to both countries. However, it is important to note that such cooperation should not come at the expense of individual rights and freedoms. As such, it is vital that Russia does not adopt the Chinese approach of imposing restrictions in the Internet space, which may limit citizens’ rights and freedoms.
In conclusion, the cooperation between Russia and China in the field of information technology holds a great deal of promise. With their combined scientific potential and production capabilities, the two countries are well-positioned to become world leaders in this field. However, it is important to ensure that this cooperation does not come at the cost of individual rights and freedoms.