Russia and China
| DOI | 10.1177/2057891116662710 |
| Published date | 01 March 2017 |
| Author | Sergey Oznobishchev |
| Date | 01 March 2017 |
| Subject Matter | Research articles |
Research article
Russia and China:
Expectations, illusions,
and reality
Sergey Oznobishchev
Director, Institute for Strategic Assessments
Abstract
Russia and China have closely interconnected histories and partially coinciding interests in the
globalizing world. Disillusioned with the counteraction with the West, especially as a result of the
‘Ukrainiancrisis’, Moscow started to construct its ‘own world’,consisting of its own partners.Under
this scenarioChina, with its economic abilitiesand deep historic ties with the USSR/Russia, looked to
be a very privilegedpartner. But the attemptsto change the declared ‘strategicpartnership’ between
Beijing andMoscow into a closer alliancedid not coincide with China’spolicy of a ‘peaceful rise’ which
was intended to get the maximum possible advantage for Chinese national development from all
participants of the world process, without complicating, except with very good reason, its relations
with any state. This article analyses the developments in the principal fields of the Russian–Chinese
cooperation in thecontext of the attitudes of the Russian political elite.
Keywords
China, international cooperation, Russia
Two neighboring countries –Russia and China –represent different cultures with completely
different state systems, traditions, and languages. But, at the same time, these are two countries
with closely connected histories, partially coinciding interests in the international arena, a common
border of more than 4000 km, and a lot of stimulus for cooperation.
At the same time, it can in no way b e said that this cooperation is developing smoothly.
Demonstrating from time to time enviable convergence of views, Moscow and Beijing have
different perceptions of their role in the present world and of the ways this role may be ‘played’.
To be more precise, Moscow at present is being once more (in a rather short period of time,
Corresponding author:
Sergey Oznobishchev, 23 Profsoyuznaya Str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.
Email: serko96@gmail.com
Asian Journal of Comparative Politics
2017, Vol. 2(1) 40–54
ªThe Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/2057891116662710
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