Conditions and Factors of Digital Development in Russia and China

The article introduces a comparative analysis of the current digital development in the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China. Both countries face external challenges that lead to certain contradictions, which could be resolved with the help a proper strategy. The authors analyzed the conditions, growth factors, and limitations that defined the process of digitalization in Russia and China in 2018–2022. The analysis yielded a roadmap for further digital development. The methodology included the comparative and economic analysis, as well as dialectical, graphical, and tabular methods. The research revealed the strengths and weaknesses of both digitalization policies, as well as made it possible to develop effective tools that may help to overcome the existing contradictions. The analysis relied on such indicators as R&D financing, exports of information and communication services and high-tech goods, income from digital technologies in different spheres, digital intelligence index, e-government development index, innovative development index, digital infrastructure development, and digital competencies of the population. On the one hand, Russian economy demonstrated some positive dynamics in the sectors that implement digital technologies. On the other hand, China’s digital development is by far more intensive. For more prolific digitalization, both countries should improve their digital infrastructure, develop institutions of the digital society, increase digital literacy, and stimulate R&D.