Russia has been trying to incorporate elements from China’s great Fire Wall. Due to “Yarovaya’s Law”, which requires Russia’s telecom companies to store users’ data for six months and metadata for three years, Russia has been pushed to seek China’s help. Russia wants Chinese technology, as it will provide them with handling vast amount of data, and due to sanctions against Russia, they cannot go to the West for help. China is willing to help them, sending high ranking officials to Russia to discuss this issue. This is a very interesting, as it shows Russia asking for help from one of the most censored countries in the world. Makes you think that Russia might be moving toward this path. I am also surprised that these two countries are working on cyber security related issues, many countries around the world would probably be too paranoid to discuss such matters.
Article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/29/putin-china-internet-great-firewall-russia-cybersecurity-pact
I’m not surprised that Russia approaches China on this matter. Many believe that all super power countries are aware of almost everything going on when it comes to cyber security, That is not the case at all and this effort from Russia proves so.
Well, I think it is understandable that Russia reached out to China for help. These two countries are always politically good relationship. Both of them are Republicanism. Therefore, they may have same approach on cyber security. But I hope Russian don’t move to strict censorship on internet. It is easier for government to control, Chinese people are angry about the censor because government can decide what can we see and what cannot which makes social media having a very difficult time. Also, after the Hilary Clinton’s email event, Russia is unable to ask help from United States.