A Chinese security company and a Russian university have had “extensive interactions” over importing Russian aviation technology, including low-altitude counter-drone technology, according to Chinese state media.
A Chinese company specialising in emergency technology and security services – Guangxi Xinhang Shengjie Emergency Industrial Park Management Company – signed a deal on Monday with Russia’s Ufa State Aviation Technical University, a leading centre for aviation engineering, to bring in low-altitude drone defence technology, China News Service reported on Tuesday.
“China and Russia held extensive interactions on topics such as bringing in Russian aviation technology and low-altitude drone defence technology,” the report said. The signing took place in Wuzhou in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in southern China.
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Under the deal, the Russian university will send experts to China to provide long-term support in areas such as technology, talent training and teaching, according to the report.
The Chinese side also planned to boost its low-altitude equipment manufacturing operations by adapting Russian heavy-lift helicopters and drone technology, it said.
The Chinese company plans to make drones “designed for long-range flights, heavy loads and high safety standards” that are suited to “emergency rescue, logistics delivery, industrial and agricultural work and security patrols”, with an eye to domestic and international markets, according to the report.
It comes as China and Russia have stepped up military cooperation in recent years amid pressure from the United States and its allies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last month for their third face-to-face meeting this year, pledging to support a “fair world order” amid chaotic times.
In a meeting in July, they pledged to continue strengthening bilateral ties in the face of Western sanctions, particularly in the areas of military and defence.
The US and its allies have increasingly voiced concern over their closer military ties and accused Beijing of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, a claim Beijing denies.
The US has in recent months imposed sanctions on hundreds of entities and individuals for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, including Chinese firms that it says are helping Moscow get around sanctions.
Last month, Washington announced sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of cooperating with Russia to design and build long-range attack drones.
Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine was the first Chinese entity targeted by the US Department of Treasury and accused of “directly developing and producing” weapons systems with Russian firms was. The US said the company was responsible for producing an engine placed in drones before they were shipped out of China.
And Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen was accused of working with Russian defence firm TSK Vektor to allow the supply of drones to Russia.
Despite the perceived close ties with Moscow, Beijing has continued to call for de-escalation of the armed conflict in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has repeatedly positioned China as a peacemaker in the Ukraine war.
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