Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation: who benefits?
In the period from 18 to 20 on June 2011, the President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, was in Ukraine on an official visit. This was the second in the past year and a half the personal meeting of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych with the leader of the PRC. The first took place during the visit of the President of Ukraine to China in September 2010. During the first meeting, the main topic of discussion was the implementation of a project related to the production of operational tactical missiles. Ukrainian design bureau Yuzhniy and Yuzhmash have vast experience in the development and construction of ballistic missiles, while at the same time, tactical missiles have never been manufactured by Ukrainian factories. Already in April, the 2011 of the year was launched into production of the Sapsan missile system, which is based on the design experience of Chinese engineers. Here cooperation with China is important for Ukraine, and the fact that work will continue in the future is not excluded.
The results of both visits were indicated by the following factors: the lack of detailed information on issues that were discussed at the highest political level; excessive declarativeness, statements of intent and lack of specifics; both sides avoided public comments on the prospects for military-technical cooperation, as well as cooperation on security issues.
The development of the Ukrainian-Chinese dialogue, as well as China’s foreign policy initiatives in the post-Soviet space, are of particular interest to the Russian Federation, since Moscow views China not only as a promising market for the sale of Russian energy, but also a potential threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty. In this regard, the declaration on strategic partnership between Ukraine and the PRC, signed on June 20 on June 2011 in Kiev during the visit of Hu to China, is important. This declaration, in particular, includes a provision prohibiting a third party from using its territory to carry out activities that violate the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the other party. Fixing this provision is a cautious hint to Moscow that Beijing is closely following the economic and political integration processes in Russia with the participation of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
During Hu Jintao’s visit, contracts worth about 3,5 billion US dollars were signed to implement a number of infrastructure projects in Ukraine for the proper holding of the EURO-2012 football championship in Ukraine. In particular, the Export-Import Bank of China will invest in the construction of a railway that will connect Borispol International Airport with Kiev.
There is also information that Ukraine and China have concluded a number of long-term agreements in the field of military-technical cooperation, in accordance with which China will acquire Ukrainian radar systems, air-to-air missiles and amphibious assault forces.
Beijing has already sought the opportunity to purchase such funds in the Russian Federation. However, the Russian side already at the negotiation stage changed its position taking into account China’s undisguised desire to develop its own radar systems and missiles that can be used against Russia in a hypothetical conflict with China.
Earlier, the idea was voiced that the Chinese prototype of the SU-27 aircraft was produced with the Ukrainian engine Motor Sich, and this was approved by air force experts. It is quite admissible that on these planes Ukrainian and partially Russian combat equipment will be installed, for example, air-to-air missiles. Such an approach is beneficial for Ukraine, in the near future it will help replace the fleet of aircraft. This is perhaps the only project that was spoken about aloud before the signing of the agreement. And he really deserves to be discussed in more detail in the future.
There are significant problems in cooperation between Ukraine and China. China will not buy huge lots. The main goal of China is the acquisition of technology from Ukraine. And this is a real threat and, as a result, a certain dilemma. In this regard, Ukraine needs to be extremely careful. After all, China is investing heavily in exploration and technology development. Given this, the following may occur. Having at its disposal a certain limited and insignificant volume of products, having carefully studied the technology, China may well begin mass production of these products in its own brand. And later, to export these products as our own, to world markets, thereby outrunning both Russia and Ukraine. And this is a real threat in all areas of the military-industrial complex, starting with aircraft construction, sonar, engine building and so on.
The visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, to Ukraine highlighted a number of important geopolitical trends, in particular, China has become significantly more active in the post-Soviet space, where Russia continues to dominate. The purpose of this revitalization is to limit Russia's retreats in the Western direction and the Caucasus in the event of a Russian-Chinese conflict with the aim of annexing China to parts of the eastern Russian territories.
The conclusion between Ukraine and China of contracts in the field of military-technical cooperation, the continuation of the implementation of the Ukraine-NATO Action Plan, as well as the recent military exercises in the Black Sea, continue to worry Moscow.
It is possible that during the meetings of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin in Crimea 25 on June 2011, the results of Hu's visit, in particular, the military-technical aspect of Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation, were discussed.
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