Science and Technology Innovation and the Reshaping of the International Landscape

Science and technology are the first productive force. They play a revolutionary role in the development of history. The emergence of major science and technology innovations usually leads to S&T revolutions and industrial changes， which in turn stimulate the renewal of methods of production and trigger major changes in other aspects of human society. In the field of international relations， such major changes are mainly reflected in the shifting of the international landscape. In the present era， the convergence of a new round of science and technology innovation and industrial change is driving the reshaping of the international landscape.

The Historical Course of Science and Technology Innovation and Its Inevitable Tendency to Influence International Landscape

I.The Historical Course of S&T Innovation and Revolution

Scientific discovery is the precursor of S&T innovation， major scientific discovery brings S&T innovation， which in turn leads to S&T revolution， i.e.， promoting a qualitative leap in human cognition and utilization of the objective world. Historically， scientific discoveries have always led to technological innovation， which in turn has fed scientific research and even triggered a major paradigm shift in scientific research. When technological innovation enters the production process， it changes productivity and production relations and triggers industrial progress， i.e.， the application of new technologies， new processes， and advanced methods of production as well as business management models. The accumulation of technological innovation， especially the aggregation effect of major technological innovations triggers technological revolution. Technological revolution means fundamental changes in the physical means of human transformation of the objective world， which directly gives rise to industrial revolution.

From the perspective of development， it is a trend that the relationship between S&T innovation and industrial progress is getting closer and closer， which is manifested by the shortening cycle of S&T innovation as well as the cycle of transformation of science into technology. The interval between the first two science and technology revolutions is about 200 years， while that between the second and the third ones is only a few decades. In addition， the contents， scale and impact of a latter S&T innovation or revolution usually greatly exceed those of its predecessor， thus presenting an “expansion” situation on the basis of “acceleration”. It makes innovation in science and technology and industrial revolution gradually evolve from a separate state to a coexistence and co-progress one. S&T innovation has shaped the social practice with the goal of “acceleration”， which saves labor time， that is， promotes productivity development.

II.Science and Technology Innovation Profoundly Affects National Development and International Balance of Power

The extensive use of fruits of S&T innovation in social production processes has a profound impact on national development by changing methods of production. Countries with better capability of S&T innovation can usually complete their economic transformation successfully and continuously improve their national power on the basis of rapid development while countries that are relatively weak in this dimension are unable to provide a strong driving force for economic development， resulting in a decline in national power. Changes in national power， in turn， affect a country’s ability to maintain security or expand international space. S&T innovation affects the changing international landscape by causing changes in the international balance of power. Initially， this effect was limited to a small number of countries which therefore gained international leadership due to their significant economic and military comparative advantages. For example， the first technology revolution took place mainly in a few European countries such as the UK， France and Germany， which became the dominant power in the world landscape at that time. The second technology revolution also affected only a few countries on both sides of the Atlantic， such as the United States and Germany who also became world powers at that time. The United States became the world’s leading superpower after World War II by virtue of its leading position in science and technology. After the end of the Cold War， especially since the 21st century， the S&T innovation capacity of emerging economies has been increasing. This has become an important force to promote a new round of adjustment of the international landscape.

III.Science and Technology Innovation Has Continuously Promoted the Evolution of International Rules and International Norms

S&T innovation has expanded the space of human activities and changed the ways and contents of human activities， so the adjustment of existing rules and the creation of new rules have become necessary. For a long time， human social practices and activities were carried out on the earth’s surface， and the level of S&T development defined the spatial scope of human activities， and activities beyond this scope existed only in science fantasy. However， since the mid-1950s， with the development of space technology and deep-sea technology bringing mankind to a new stage of exploring and utilizing cosmic and oceanic space， the scope of human activities in physical space has greatly expanded. The development of information and Internet technology has led to the formation of a virtual space， i.e.， digital cyberspace， which is very different from the physical one， generating more complex social and international relations. In order to guarantee the performance of global governance and maintain the relative stability of international order， the existing international rules and norms are constantly adjusted and new ones are constantly emerging. The development and implementation of the International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities， the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea， and a series of rules and regulations such as the Voluntary Non-binding Norms， Rules and Principles for Responsible State Behavior reflect the above trend of evolution of international governance rules and norms for the new frontier.