Russia-China cooperation on the lunar nuclear power station, Russians are full of confidence, but China is cautiously optimistic!

China has already been prepared for cooperation, but it does not intend to fully bet on Russia.

An article by a Russian expert Китайский специалист was published in Russian media on May 18th.

On May 8th, 2025, Russia and China signed a memorandum of cooperation on building a nuclear power station on the moon, further strengthening their strategic partnership.

The news was enthusiastically received by Russian society, which considered this project not only a technical breakthrough but also a way for Russia to regain its leadership position in the space race.

However, despite recognizing Russia's unique capabilities in the field of nuclear energy, China still expressed cautious optimism.

China understands that implementing such an ambitious project without Russian technology would be extremely difficult, but it doubts whether Russia can overcome the stagnation in its aerospace industry.

The announcement of the memorandum triggered a wave of positive reactions in Russia, with social networks like X flooded with pride for Russian science and its contribution to international projects.

Russian users pointed out that based on the Soviet legacy of nuclear technology, Russia could once again become a leader in space exploration.

For Russians, this is not only a scientific victory but also a geopolitical one, especially against the backdrop of cooling relations with the West and Russia reducing its participation in American space programs, such as NASA's Lunar Orbital Station.

China is actively advancing its lunar program and views Russia as a key partner in building a nuclear power station on the moon.

In April 2025, Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's lunar program, stated that Russia has a "natural advantage" in the field of nuclear energy, particularly in space nuclear facilities, leading over the United States, including the development of compact nuclear reactors.

However, Chinese experts clearly recognize that Russia's aerospace industry is going through a difficult period.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, funding for the space program decreased, and some ambitious projects, such as Luna 25 (which crashed upon landing in 2023), failed to meet expectations.

Chinese experts emphasized that the memorandum signed on May 8th, 2025, was only an intention statement rather than a framework treaty with specific commitments. This gave Russia the freedom to act but also meant that Beijing was not prepared to fully rely on Russia's promises.

From China's perspective, China demonstrated a pragmatic approach: China is ready for cooperation but does not intend to fully bet on Russia. The memorandum gives Russia an opportunity, but success cannot be guaranteed.

If Russia delivers, this will not only be a scientific but also a geopolitical victory, enhancing its status on the world stage.

If not, China may reconsider its plans and possibly turn to other partners.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832413492569088/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.