Key Takeaway
„The Chinese understand the importance of Russian knowledge […] if you want to be actually ready for warfare, you need to learn from people having practical experience. […] „China stands to benefit in a manner that could alter the strategic landscape in Asia for decades to come.”
Context
Western analyses of the Russia-Ukraine war have generally approached the conflict through their own perspectives, while its lessons extend far beyond Europe. For Asia, and China in particular, the war offers rare battlefield experience as well as technological and operational lessons that could have a long-term impact on an already highly strategic approach to military affairs. The conflict is therefore not merely reshaping the current balance of power; it could also set a new direction for less visible but increasingly decisive aspects of modern warfare around the world.
Summary
According to a comprehensive analysis by The Economist, China is increasingly acquiring military expertise and technology from Russia, which could significantly strengthen its military capabilities over the long term, particularly in the event of a potential conflict over Taiwan. According to intelligence reports cited by the publication, Chinese military personnel have been training in Russia since 2024, learning drone warfare, urban combat, and other modern battlefield techniques based on Russia’s experience in the war in Ukraine. Since China has not fought a major war for decades, this practical experience is particularly valuable to Beijing. The publication highlights that the cooperation also extends to joint military exercises and advanced military technology. China could therefore benefit from Russian expertise in areas including drones, submarines, and air and missile defense systems. Naval exercises between the two countries are increasingly focused on key aspects of modern warfare, while China is gaining access to battlefield data and technological solutions that Russia had not previously shared with it. Because the war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the nature of drone warfare, China is paying particular attention to the new tactics and methods being used there. As a result, the Chinese military is seeking to incorporate these lessons into its own development programs, particularly in drone swarms, AI-assisted systems, and electronic warfare. Other important areas of Russian-Chinese defense cooperation now include submarine noise-reduction technology and the development of missile-defense systems.The analysis concludes that Russia would probably not intervene directly in a war over Taiwan. Nevertheless, through technological, intelligence, and training support, it could significantly enhance China’s already substantial military capabilities. And as Moscow becomes increasingly dependent on Beijing for economic and political support, defense cooperation between the two countries is likely to deepen further, potentially reshaping the strategic balance of power in the region over the long term.
