Development Institutions and the Pursuit of Technological Sovereignty: A Comparative Study of China and Russia

Abstract

Countries increasingly rely on development institutions to enhance the technological capacity of their national economies and secure technological sovereignty. This study seeks to develop a conceptual framework for achieving collective technological sovereignty between Russia and China, taking into account their different positions within the global digital hierarchy. It also aims to identify Chinese institutional practices that could be effectively adapted for use in Russia. The analysis confirms two hypotheses: (1) that collective technological sovereignty is attainable despite the asymmetry in global positioning between Russia and China; and (2) that China’s technological advancement has been significantly supported by its development institutions. The study’s theoretical contribution includes a set of principles for collective technological sovereignty. Methodologically, the study follows a three-stage comparative framework: (1) content analysis of national technological development strategies; (2) identification of key development institutions; and (3) assessment of institutional effectiveness. The findings suggest that a shared theoretical understanding among Chinese and Russian experts contributes to the formation of a joint technological framework grounded in compatible institutional conditions. Both countries have established systems of technological development institutions with distinctive national features. In China, a multi-level institutional framework tailored to industries at varying stages of technological maturity has contributed to its rise in the global hierarchy. The application of specific Chinese approaches may enable Russia to move closer to technological leadership.