No one is perfect, everything has a good side and a bad side, and there was no perfect alliance between countries before. The same is true of Sino-Russian relations, both good and bad. But the bad side accounts for only a little, and the good side accounts for the vast majority, otherwise Sino-Russian relations cannot be a strategic partnership.
First of all, talk about the bad side of Sino-Russian relations:
Russian arms sales to Vietnam on the South China Sea issue have harmed China's interests. With China buying fewer and fewer Russian weapons in recent years, Russia has found new customers, and these new customers are good buyers of Russian weapons. So Russia takes care of these customers as much as possible.
The two countries have also been unable to reach a huge oil and gas trade agreement, and China needs to increase its natural gas supply. However, the pipeline transportation agreement reached several years ago has not been implemented, and the price difference still exists.
In terms of investment and development in the Far East, Russian funds to China are also relatively conservative. Although China and Russia agreed to form a common front to defend the common interests of all parts of the world, bilateral relations are more difficult near their own places. Moscow is worried that China's influence will challenge Russian rule on its own territory. In order to resist China's growing influence, Moscow tried to enhance its political strength in the region. The new government formed last month established the post of Minister of Far East Development for the first time.
Within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and Russia also have different views on the role of the organization. Because for Russia, Central Asia is a part of its historical heritage, Putin is more keen to promote the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Community and the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization in the security field. China pays more attention to the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, especially its economic integration. We believe that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should help to eliminate the differences between China and Russia in Central Asia and lay the foundation for closer cooperation.
The improvement of Russian-Chinese relations at present is not reliable. If the relationship between Russia and the West had not been troubled by political disputes and affected by the European financial crisis, Russia-China relations would not be so conspicuous.
Russia can discuss strategic partnership with China, but they will never become actual allies, because China is a huge potential threat to Russia. Russians are inevitably worried about China.
The above is the bad side of Sino-Russian relations!
This is Putin's first visit to China since he became the new Russian president, and it is also one of his first state visits. Therefore, it has a special symbolic significance, indicating that Russia attaches importance to developing relations with China. During his visit, Putin will reiterate Russia's willingness to deepen strategic cooperation with China and exchange views on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields, which will certainly further deepen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. During Putin's visit to China, the two heads of state will jointly sign the Joint Statement on Several Principles of Deepening China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, in which the two heads of state will advocate the establishment of a new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
It sends a signal to the international community that China and Russia will strengthen cooperation to maintain regional peace and stability because of the US strategy of returning to the Asia-Pacific region, and strong cooperation between China and Russia will certainly be able to counter the United States more effectively.
After Putin returned to the Kremlin, the domestic and international environment has been very different from many years ago. Within Russia, the rise of civil society has put pressure on Putin's rule, and the urgency of economic growth and transformation also requires Putin to take effective reform measures; Externally, Putin was maliciously banned by the United States during the campaign. The strategy of returning to Asia-Pacific attracts Russia to pay more attention to its Far East, such as establishing the Far East Development Department and reorganizing the Pacific Fleet. The development of Russia's Far East needs the support of East Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea.
On international issues, both countries are facing some common challenges. First of all, as Putin said, there is no prejudice and prejudice between China and Russia, and the relations between the two countries are very stable and are not affected by the current situation. Secondly, both countries believe that without the participation of China and Russia in international issues and without considering their concerns and interests, no international issue can be discussed and implemented. Therefore, both countries have sufficient motivation to continue to promote bilateral cooperation and share responsibility for consolidating and developing Russia's medium and long-term strategic partnership.
Russia and China are in favor of world multipolarization and oppose hegemonism. The two countries share the same or similar positions on many international issues such as the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, NATO's eastward expansion and the Middle East issue. The cooperation between Russia and China will help to find a solution to the problem and promote the development of the situation in a good direction.
Sino-Russian relations have been heating up rapidly for some time. Not long ago, China and Russia held a "maritime joint -20 12" large-scale military exercise, which highlighted the further improvement of strategic mutual trust between the two sides. In addition, the Russian side recently issued a statement on the South China Sea issue for the first time, saying that it opposes any non-party to interfere in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. China and Russia share the same position on Middle East affairs. This has played a very positive role in maintaining the security environment in the South China Sea and East Asia.
The changes in the security situation from South Asia to Central Asia and the development of the situation in the Asia-Pacific region have made Sino-Russian strategic cooperation an "anchor of stability" for world and regional peace. The plan of the United States to increase the deployment of naval forces in the Asia-Pacific region is bound to attract great attention from China and Russia, and will also lead to in-depth discussions on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
The threat posed by the return of the United States to the Asia-Pacific region will prompt China and Russia to strengthen cooperation in all aspects and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. Previously, during the confrontation between China and the Philippines on Huangyan Island, during the joint military exercise between the United States and the Philippines, Russia and China jointly conducted military exercises to jointly deter neighboring countries, which was conducive to regional stability.
After Putin took office, he first refused to attend the G-8 summit, which embarrassed Obama. Now Putin's high-profile visit to China in the first round shows that he attaches great importance to Sino-Russian relations, and may also send some signals to the United States that it is not so easy for the United States to return to the Asia-Pacific region. Russia will work with China to confront the United States and safeguard regional peace and stability.
Russia is the second largest military power in the world. Compared with the United States, it is still at a disadvantage. Both China and Russia are facing military pressure from the United States. The combined military strength of China and Russia exceeds that of the United States, so China and Russia must strengthen cooperation against the United States. It is in the interest of both sides to strengthen cooperation between China and Russia, so Putin attaches great importance to Sino-Russian relations. The United States has imposed a military blockade on China around China, and China needs Russian support. China bought many Russian weapons to fight against the United States and Japan. China's economic strength is stronger than Russia's, and Russia's military strength is stronger than China's. Russia lacks technology but lacks money, while China is just the opposite. Therefore, the military and economic cooperation between China and Russia in many aspects has a good prospect for the future development of Sino-Russian relations. Therefore, Putin attaches great importance to Sino-Russian relations and paid a state visit to China in early June to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries! It sends a signal to the international community that China and Russia will strengthen cooperation to maintain regional peace and stability because of the US strategy of returning to the Asia-Pacific region, and strong cooperation between China and Russia will certainly be able to counter the United States more effectively.
Interestingly, it took Putin only a few hours to visit Germany and France, just like passing by, but it took him two whole days to visit China, which shows that Putin attaches great importance to the strategic partnership between China and Russia.
I hope it helps you!