IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar

China-Russia joint naval exercise: Four takeaways

Recent Developments
On 17 October, China and Russia concluded the joint naval drill in the Sea of Japan which started on 14 October. The Naval Interaction-2021 maritime military exercise kicked off near Russia’s Peter the Great Gulf which included ten warships and six carrier-based helicopters. During the exercise, they organized joint sailing and joint maneuvers and practiced real-world drills and live-fire drills, and sending clear signals. 

The Chinese Defense Ministry said that the joint naval exercises were aimed to “further develop the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, enhance the joint action capabilities of both parties and jointly maintain international and regional strategic stability.”

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the staged naval cooperation drills were towards “maintaining of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and guardianship of the subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries.” 

On 19 October, Global Times published a report stating that the China-Russia joint naval drill “can counter AUKUS” the trilateral security pact. “China and Russia can cooperate more and display their strength and determination to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific,” added Global Times.

Takeaways:
The China-Russia military exercises highlight the growing partnership.
The year 2021 has turned out to be a vintage year for Beijing and Moscow holding large-scale joint military, airforce, and maritime drills. Between 2012- 2017, the Sino-Russian relationship strengthened with the interactions between their armed forces through joint training and exchanging military equipment. The participation of the People’s Liberation Army’s type 055 stealth guided-missile destroyer makes the exercise a powerful one. This reflects a new height of the China-Russia strategic partnership. Even if the Chinese and Russian militaries are at the development stage, the increasing frequency of combined drills and operations suggests massive modernization efforts and deepening strategic alignment.

Despite the exercises, there are tensions. 
It is a marriage of convenience between Beijing and Moscow. Under the surface, China and Russia have diverging interests and conflicting stances, and on the other hand hold similar objectives in many regions like the Arctic. Moscow heavily relies on asserting its dominance through militarization whereas Beijing is interested in the economic benefits and securing energy sources at the lowest prices. The major cooperative project of Beijing and Moscow is nullifying the US influence and sovereignty. 

The China-Russia joint exercise alarms Japan. 
Japan has been tense about the strategic partnership between China and Russia thus threatening regional stability. The recent naval exercise can also be considered as a response to Japan’s training with the UK and the US to improve its defenses. The increasing tension in the Indo-Pacific is expected to cause rapid militarization in the East Asia region accompanied by US’ commitment to ensuring regional stability.

The slow erosion of the US’ advantage.
While the possibility of a formal alliance between Beijing and Moscow remains unlikely. The longstanding anti-American disdain for the American-led rules-based international order keeps these two countries together. China and Russia work as military partners and with advance coordination, Beijing and Moscow could pursue their assertion in Taiwan Strait and Eastern Europe without US interventions. 

Implications
First, the potential scenario is of the US and its allies putting forward showcasing its military capabilities and capacities based on questionable assumptions leading to more geopolitical instabilities. While China and Russia will continue with a convenient partnership to counter the Quad and AUKUS alliances.

Second, the China- Russia partnership will face obstacles in the foreseeable future. China, which has been ambitiously working towards expanding its economic and military ties in Central Asia and Eastern European countries will rattle Russia. Despite Russia benefiting from the partnership, it will cut off China if Beijing interferes in Russia’s area of influence.

References:
“China, Russia hold joint naval drill in Sea of Japan, display ‘higher level of trust, capability’,” Global Times, 14 October 2021
“Russia, China kick off joint naval maneuvers in Sea of Japan,” TASS Russian News Agency, 14 October 2021

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
Cyber Administration of China tightens control on data sharing
On 29 October, Global times reported that the Cyber Administration of China was reworking its policies to restrict the outflow of user data to foreign countries. According to the amended regulation, companies processing data must report to the regulator before sharing data related to the users. The regulations are being reformed to prevent data security risks and data thefts. The restrictions will also be applied on sharing of personal information, data gathered and generated by operators and other important information used by applications. The Vice President of the China Information Security Research Institute said: “The proposal is a concrete implementation on data going abroad among three pillar-like acts in China. It is not only for data security, or cybersecurity, but also an indispensable step to ensure the safe development of cross-border business.” (“China's top internet regulator mulls more specific security review on overseas-bound data,” Global Times, 29 October 2021)

COVID-19 resurgence spreads to 14 provinces in China
On 30 October, Xinhua reported that the latest COVID-19 resurgence has spread to 14 provinces. All the 14 provinces recorded new locally transmitted cases or asymptomatic carriers in the past two weeks. The infections in China are rising again and the National Health Commission has called the situation “grim and complicated.” However, epidemiologists in the country strengthen hope by reiterating that CHina will contain the virus effective yet again, within a month. (“China's latest COVID-19 resurgence spreads to 14 provinces: health official,” Xinhua Net, 30 October 2021)

REGIONAL
US official supports Taiwan against China; China warns of ‘no future other than reunification’
On 29 October, The Mainichi reported on the public news conference held by Sandra Oudkirk, the new director of the American Institute in Taiwan. In her address, she stressed that the US wants to deepen its relationship with Taiwan, calling it a self-ruled island. She also recognized that Taiwan has become the bone of contention in US-China relations. The US shall work to counter ‘malign” influence from China. As a response to the press conference and the US calls for “meaningful participation of Taiwan in the UN,” Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Taiwan has no other future if not reunification with the mainland. He said that if the US and other forces continue to resist the one-China policy, they shall pay the price. (“US to deepen relation with Taiwan in face of China tensions,” The Mainichi, 29 October 2021; “Taiwan has no future other than reunification with mainland, no intl status other than being part of China: FM Wang Yi,” Global Times, 30 October 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
President Xi Jinping prepares for the speech at G20 summit
On 29 October, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced President Xi Jinping’s participation via video link in the G20 leaders’ summit in Rome on 30 and 31 October. He is also scheduled to make a speech at the summit. President Xi will also be virtually present at the COP26 climate summit. He has not been visiting any countries and international organizations since 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The G20 summit is considered to be an important stepping stone to the COP26 summit where the leaders will discuss the climate crisis. China’s role at both these summits are considered to be essential since the country recently issued its policy reforms to adjust to the new emission reduction targets and the climate goals. (“China’s Xi to participate in G20 leader’s summit via video link,” Reuters, 29 October 2021)

US Senate unanimously votes to tighten restrictions on Huawei, ZTE
On 29 October, The Asahi Shimbun reported news from Washington that the US Senate voted unanimously to approve a legislation that binds companies like Huawei and ZTE from receiving new equipment licenses from US regulators. The Secure Equipment Act cites these companies as ‘security threats’. It was approved by the US House last week and is now due for Presidential signature by Joe Biden. The law will prevent Chinese tech giant firms from obtaining US licenses and may even be liable to lose their previously obtained licenses. This is the latest rule restricting Chinese tech giants, two similar legislations were previously passed by the US in March and again in June. (“U.S. lawmakers vote to tighten restrictions on Huawei, ZTE,” The Asahi Shimbun, 29 October 2021)

President Xi Jinping holds telephonic conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
On 29 October, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the phone. President Xi stressed that China-Britain relations need mutual trust and management of differences for achieving sound development. He also said that CHina-Britain ties are important for China due to historic and strategic perspectives. He urged the British Prime Minister to respect facts and perceive China’s development path in an objective manner. He welcomed Britain’s high-quality products. PM Johnson said that Britain is ready to deepen cooperation for economy, trade, education and clean energy and even welcomed Chinese investments and cooperations. He also stressed that working together on areas like communication, climate change, biodiversity protection and the like are extremely crucial. (“Xi talks with British PM over phone,” China Daily, 30 October 2021)

Albanian President encourages relations with China at bilateral meeting
On 29 October, the Albanian President Ilir Meta met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and said that the Albanian-Chinese bilateral relations had great potential. He also expressed hope for the expansion of pragmatic relations between the two countries and heightened cooperation and communication on multilateral issues. He said: “Albania is proud of its support for China's restoration of its lawful seat in the United Nations (UN) and will never forget China's assistance to Albania's economic development and modernization drive.” (“Albania-China cooperation has great potential: Albanian president,” Xinhua Net, 30 October 2021)

China urges Lithuania to rethink its relations with Taiwan
On 30 October, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the Lithuanian government to retract its hostile actions before it worsened the bilateral relations between the two countries. He said, “China firmly opposes the plots of Taiwan authorities to create "two Chinas" and "one China, one Taiwan" in the world. China firmly opposes official exchanges between countries having diplomatic ties with China and Taiwan authorities.” (“China urges Lithuania to avoid unsalvageable wrong decisions on Taiwan question,” Global Politics, 30 October 2021)