Do you agree with the view that Sino Russian relationship at present is

primarily aimed at fulfilling economic goals rather than achieving long-term

strategic vision?
The issue in question assumes that the current friendship between China and
Russia is based predominantly on the meeting of common economic
objectives. There is little likelihood of a long-term strategic alliance as both
countries shared certain fundamental differences. The statement is true only
to some extent. While economic matters are discussed most frequently and
are accorded great importance by Sino-Russia leaders, it must be noted that
such could only be secured through forging deeper political cooperation.
Strategic and economic interests are often intertwined and indivisible.
Factors such as ideological similarities, the need for greater geopolitical and
regional cooperation have continued to bind both countries closely together.
Trade and economic relations have always been the focal point of SinoRussian relations since the end of the Cold War in 1991. In 2006, bilateral
trade was worth $33.4billion while border trade amounted to $5.6billion.
Russian Far Eastern provinces require Chinese investments for its economic
growth and employment opportunities. China needs Russian energy and
other primary resources to fuel its rapid economic growth. Russian market is
also an important destination for Chinese exports. China requires purchases
from Russian military and other technological industries in its modernization
programs. Long pipelines are also built to supply China with Russia crude oil
and natural gas.
Both countries however have intended their relationship to deepen so as to
perpetuate its resultant economic benefits. China has desired that its
relations with Russia be deepened so as to secure a guarantee of longer term
supply of strategic imports, such as uranium, crude oil, petrol chemicals and
timber. Strategic relations with Russia would give China the upper hand its
competition with economies like Japan for access to Russian energy
resources. Meanwhile, constant flow of hard cash and loans from China in
exchange for supply of raw materials are vital to the economic growth of
Russia. Having a loyal and dependable consumer state like China could also
divert the focus of Russian primary exports to the EU, thus reducing its
strategic vulnerabilities of the western hemisphere.
Geographical proximity hence common interest at pursuing regional peace
and prosperity also strengthens the partnership between the two countries.
Both countries share a common border of 4300km. Regional peace and
stability are important as such would be conducive for the development of
bilateral trade and economic prosperity. China and Russia have common
interests at countering threats of Islamic terrorism and the presence of US
troops in Central Asia. Such have resulted in the establishment of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2001. China and Russia are also

participating countries of the six-party talks aimed at diffusing tensions on

the Korean Peninsula.
Similarities in the political system and ideologies have contributed to the
close bilateral relations between China and Russia. Both countries have
embraced capitalism but continue to operate under authoritarian political
apparatus. Though nominally communist, the CCP has preserved its
monopoly over the Chinese state. The Russian government since Vladmir
Putin has been essentially run by oligarchs. Both governments have come to
each others rhetorical support in the face of western criticisms such as the
US and EU. China supported Russian military actions against Chechnya, while
the latter is behind Chinese armed suppression of separatist tendencies in
Xinjiang and Tibet. Russia is also agreeable to the possible use of force by
the Chinese to resolve the Taiwan Issue. Both countries, being permanent
members of the UNSC believe that a multi-polar world would be conducive to
international stability. The Sino-Russian Good-neighbourly Treaty of
Friendship and Cooperation singed in 2001, served to establish friendly SinoRussian ties based on their non-alliance, non-confrontational views.
On the other hand, mutual misgivings at the popular level, which may
indicate differing national aspirations, continue to plague the positive
relations built painstakingly built by the leaders of both countries. Due to
cultural differences , the relationship between its people is languishing and
this will have an adverse impact on Sino-Russian relations. There are less
than ten million Russians living in Russian Far East in contrast to the 150
million Chinese living across the border. This stark demographic imbalance
had contributed to the Russians fear of Chinese encroachment and it has an
adverse impact on cross-border relationship. A survey conducted in July 2005
revealed that 62% of Russians viewed Chinas increasing presense negatively
while 66% of Russians considered the involvement of Chinese companies and
workers in the mineral industry in Siberia and Russian Far East as a threat to
Russian interests. Chinese public is also unhappy at the manhandling of their
fishing boats and merchant ships by Russian coastal guards.
Sino-Russian relations are also affected by problems over military sales,
trade and energy. Russian-Chinese commission on military technical
cooperation has delayed mutual visits due to disagreement over the prices of
Russian military exports to China. The Russians are also unhappy about
Chinas duplication and subsequent modification of their military technology.
The Chinese are also enjoying surplus from trade with Russia since 2007.
Some political analysts have even pointed out to the fact that Sino-Russian
economic ties may not be as strong as it seemed. Chinas trade with Russia
amounted to US$48billion last year, a mere 2% of Chinas global trade, and
less than one-eighth its trade with the US.

Chinese and Russian leaders however, have worked hard to ameliorate the
potentials of their conflicting national interests from turning into bilateral
conflict. The relationship is therefore of great long-term strategic importance
to both countries. By 2009, both states have solved their territorial disputes
with Russia ceding 170square km of land to China. Vladimir Putin has
continued to refer to China as Russias strategic partner. The country has
also pledged to deepen relations in space, defense and other technological
industries. Cross-cultural exchanges are introduced to help deepen the
relationship and mutual understanding between Russians and Chinese and to
help ameliorate any potential suspicions present. Examples include the years
of Russia and China held in 2006 and 2007 respectively, endorsed by the
leaders from both sides. Given the world financial crisis, which began
towards the end of 2008, Sino-Russian leaders have been urging that their
countries be drawn closer to fight the economic downturn.
In conclusion, despite the existence of certain strong underlying tensions,
relations between China and Russia are close for they share many similar
strategic as well as economic interests. Sino-Russian relations will remain
strong as long as global geopolitical alignment and economic
interdependency continue to bind the interests of both countries.

Friendship with Russia would guarantee Beijing the much needed supplies of
energy and natural resources that could fuel Chinas economic growth,
reducing its strategic vulnerabilities vis--vis the developed western powers.
Military hardware and other technologically advanced imports from Russia
are economically and strategically crucial to China.
Strong economic ties with China could also strengthen Russias strategic
position as it is no longer solely dependent on the west for its trade revenue.
However, Sino-Russian ties based on economic goals should not be overrated
as bilateral trade volume remained low, unstable and imbalanced.
Geographical proximity and political similarities are strong fundamental that
bind China and Russia together strategically.
China and Russia also share similar strategic vision as they strive to maintain
their respective security and interests in the region against American
presence and threats from Islamic terrorism.
Having identical strategic concerns, both countries have voiced support for
each others agenda on issues of global concerns.
The statement in question is valid to a certain extent as strategic and
economic goals in Sino-Russian relationship are often intertwined and
indivisible. For instance, close relations with Russia would guarantee energy
supplies for China, hence ensuring both economic sustainability and strategic
security. From Moscows perspective, strong economic and political ties with
Beijing can lend strength to its resistance against perceived western
hostilities. On closer examination, economic goals are sometimes
overshadowed by Sino-Russian strategic vision as bilateral trade volume
though increasing, is relatively low and unbalanced.