Russia and China share a long common history since official relations started in 1683 with the Treaty of Nertschinsk , which marks the first bilateral agreement between China and a western state. Since that time, Russia has been a colonial power, a communist sister country, a revisionist and eventually a reliable partner for China. Sino-Russian relations underwent many breakings and challenges, making both countries’ common history one of the most changeful one could imagine. Nowadays their relation seems to be at an all-time high. Notwithstanding the Ukrainian crisis, Russia and China signed several important cooperation and investment agreements in May and in October 2014, including a giant gas deal for which both countries drove a ten years hard bargain and a cross-currency swap . This crushed western hopes for a growing gap between “bear and dragon” in face of Crimea annexation and caused observers to talk of a Sino-Russian “honeymoon” . However, under the surface their relation is not without any problems. First of all there is a problem of the base: the lack of a common strategy. Beyond opposing the US and the opaque overall idea of a “multipolar world”, both countries do not share a clear vision of a future international system. Moreover, there is a growing dissent in Central Asia as well as growing Chinese nationalism in combination with the unresolved “Siberian question” leading to worries in Russia. Above all, increasing economic asymmetries in China’s favour nurture Russian fears of becoming a “junior partner” or a “resource appendix” to China.
Thus, the future of Sino-Russian relations remains a controversial subject: Is it a natural partnership or just lack of alternatives? Will they be allies or competitors?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Neorealist theory: a brief introduction
2. Main section
2.1 Russia: power resources in the international system
2.2 China: power resources in the international system
2.3 Polarity of the international system
3. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The paper examines the bilateral relationship between Russia and China through the lens of neorealist international relations theory. The primary research question investigates whether the two nations are developing a sustainable strategic alliance or if their partnership is merely a temporary reaction to shared challenges, specifically the dominance of the United States in the current unipolar international system.
- Application of neorealist foreign policy analysis to Sino-Russian relations.
- Comparative evaluation of national power capabilities, including natural resources, economic strength, and military capacity.
- Analysis of the structural polarity of the contemporary international system.
- Assessment of long-term geopolitical trends, specifically regarding Central Asia and the Far East.
- Investigation into the economic and strategic motivations behind the "no alliance" cooperation model.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Russia and China share a long common history since official relations started in 1683 with the Treaty of Nertschinsk, which marks the first bilateral agreement between China and a western state. Since that time, Russia has been a colonial power, a communist sister country, a revisionist and eventually a reliable partner for China. Sino-Russian relations underwent many breakings and challenges, making both countries’ common history one of the most changeful one could imagine. Nowadays their relation seems to be at an all-time high. Notwithstanding the Ukrainian crisis, Russia and China signed several important cooperation and investment agreements in May and in October 2014, including a giant gas deal for which both countries drove a ten years hard bargain and a cross-currency swap.
This crushed western hopes for a growing gap between “bear and dragon” in face of Crimea annexation and caused observers to talk of a Sino-Russian “honeymoon”. However, under the surface their relation is not without any problems. First of all there is a problem of the base: the lack of a common strategy. Beyond opposing the US and the opaque overall idea of a “multipolar world”, both countries do not share a clear vision of a future international system. Moreover, there is a growing dissent in Central Asia as well as growing Chinese nationalism in combination with the unresolved “Siberian question” leading to worries in Russia. Above all, increasing economic asymmetries in China’s favour nurture Russian fears of becoming a “junior partner” or a “resource appendix” to China.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical context of Sino-Russian relations and introduces the research question regarding the stability of their current partnership based on a neorealist perspective.
1.1 Neorealist theory: a brief introduction: Explains the core principles of Kenneth N. Waltz’s neorealism, focusing on the anarchical structure of the international system and the necessity of self-help and balance-of-power strategies for states.
2. Main section: Establishes the analytical framework by selecting key power indicators—population, natural resources, economy, and military strength—to compare Russia and China.
2.1 Russia: power resources in the international system: Details Russia's reliance on natural resources and its demographic challenges, while analyzing the current state and modernization efforts of its military and economy.
2.2 China: power resources in the international system: Discusses China's rapid economic ascent, its role as a global manufacturer, and its military transformation, contrasted with significant domestic challenges such as demographic change and resource dependency.
2.3 Polarity of the international system: Analyzes the current US-dominated unipolar order and identifies gradual shifts toward multipolarity influenced by rising powers and systemic tensions.
3. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings to argue that the Sino-Russian partnership is primarily driven by a mutual need to balance US power, characterized as a pragmatic "forced marriage" rather than a deep ideological alliance.
Keywords
Neorealism, Sino-Russian relations, International Relations, Balance of Power, Foreign Policy Analysis, Global Polarity, Economic Asymmetry, Military Capabilities, Geopolitics, US Dominance, Multipolarity, Energy Security, Strategic Partnership, National Resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research analyzes the evolving relationship between Russia and China to determine if their cooperation is a stable long-term alliance or a pragmatic, short-term arrangement.
What are the primary themes of the paper?
The themes include the application of neorealist theory to modern diplomacy, the comparative assessment of national power, the structure of the international system, and the geopolitical dynamics between Russia, China, and the USA.
What is the main research question?
The primary question asks whether Russia and China are natural partners or merely lack alternatives, and whether they are destined to be allies or competitors.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a comparative foreign policy analysis methodology, framed specifically within the neorealist school of international relations.
What does the main section of the paper cover?
The main section provides a detailed comparative analysis of Russia's and China's national power capabilities, focusing on population, natural resources, economic performance, and military strength.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include neorealism, balance of power, unipolarity, multipolarity, and strategic cooperation in the context of Sino-Russian and US relations.
How does the author view the "honeymoon" period in 2014?
The author interprets this phase of cooperation as a result of shared external pressures from the West, rather than a genuine, deep-seated strategic union.
What is the primary fear held by the Russian leadership regarding China?
The Russian leadership fears becoming a "junior partner" or "resource appendix" to China, compounded by concerns over demographic imbalances in Siberia and the Far East.
Why does the author conclude that an alliance is unlikely?
Based on neorealist principles, the author concludes that since neither nation currently seeks to be subservient to the other, they will follow a "no confrontation, no alliance" principle to maintain their respective autonomy.
- Citar trabajo
- Maximilian Mai (Autor), 2014, Russia and China. Allies or Competitors?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295686
