THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND CHINA

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, the relations between the Russian Federation and China have intensified both at the political and economic level, based on a strategic partnership. The purpose of this article is to analyze the depth of the present Sino-Russian relations, especially in the area of economic cooperation in order to identify the problems and prospects of this strategic partnership.Our analysis finds that the “Eastern pivot” of the Russian Federation has more political substance than an economic one. Moreover, the commercial and investment goals agreed upon in their joint declarations are difficult to achieve, especially in the context of the Chinese economic reform and the Russian Federation’s economic downturn. Despite positive statements by their leaders,the Russian Federation and China are still trying to compromise on solutions for a range of economic and political issues that hinder bilateral cooperation.

Keywords

• The Russian Federation
• China
• economic cooperation
• bilateral agreements