A research on China–Russia arms control cooperation in outer space: achievement, challenge, and prospect

Abstract Since entering the twenty-first century, advancements in space technology have accelerated the exploration and utilization of outer space, leading to significant developments in various fields of human society. However, this progression has also led to the acceleration of the militarization and weaponization of outer space, escalating the arms race and contributing to environmental pollution in outer space. Despite opposition from the US and other countries, China and Russia have made strides in cooperating on outer space arms control to prevent further militarization and arms race. In this new era of unprecedented changes unseen in a century, outer space faces increasingly serious security threats. Guided by the principle of a global community of shared future, China and Russia must continue to strengthen cooperation within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations. They must work together to promote international negotiations in the field of outer space arms control and reach international legal documents on outer space security. Furthermore, they must make due contributions to promoting global security governance and the peaceful development of human society.