The Implications of the US-China Decoupling in Scientific Cooperation and Academic Exchanges

Studying 'decoupling' in the scientific field and academic exchanges between China the USA is direct interest of Russia because of number of reasons. Firstly, it is possible that Russia could benefit from the confrontation. On the Chinese side, there is interest in the growth of cooperation with Russia, which is expressed in the transfer of production facilities to Russia, the hiring of Russian IT specialists in other areas, and the purchase of high-tech products from Russia. Secondly, the strengthening of influence in the Asia-Pacific region is one of the priority areas of Russia's foreign policy. This is due to the fact that the rapidly developing economies of the “Asian tigers” are pulling economic leadership. The active participation of the Russian Federation in the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region is expressed in the deployment of new projects of the development of Siberia and the Far East. Thirdly, the perception of Russia and China as strategic competitors not only creates risks for Russia, but also brings new opportunities. In the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, Russia could take a more profitable niche and strengthen cooperation in the export of carbon, agricultural products and build technological cooperation with the Celestial Empire. In addition, the decline in people-to-people interaction and scientific partnership between China and the USA provides certain opportunities for interaction between the PRC and the Russian Federation in educational and scientific areas. Fourthly, the Russian Federation and China are strategic partners on a number of issues, and this is evidenced by the The Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation concluded in 2001. Effective cooperation between Russia and China should lead to positive results in the economic and energy spheres. At the moment, China is the optimal partner for Russia; an alternative to this direction of our country's foreign policy is not expected in the near future.