SPECIAL REPORT

• The gaps and discrepancies between China and Russia are so weak that both countries do not see themselves as competitors. However, all disparities in Moscow’s and Beijing’s interests are an obstacle to the two states’ lasting and durable alliance while imposing the construction of a new model of a “system of great states”.

What brings Russia and China together is their rivalry with the United States. But what is important is that how diversified this rivalry turns out, with Russia competing at the political and military level and China – mostly economic and trade. This difference comes a long-term factor to influence Beijing’s cooperation with Moscow.

• Being far way weaker that during its Soviet times, Russia accepted China’s new role in the world and is at the same time ready to acknowledge its own position as a younger partner. Moscow and Beijing have formed a peculiar alliance that shows both coherence at the global level and regional competitiveness. And Putin is sacrificing his country’s long-term position to gain current and short-term benefits for his regime, running the risk for Russia of becoming China’s energy attachment.

• Russia has held more interest in strengthening its cooperation with China for at least 5 years, but Beijing seemed distanced towards all attempts to give their informal agreement a far more standardized character. The Middle Kingdom has in recent months engaged in cementing ties with Russia because it is now waging a trade war with the United States and tensions are mounting in the waters off China. A détente in China-Russia relations will automatically cool off the former’s approach towards the Kremlin’s aspirations to become an ally.

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