Colossus of Closer Cooperation: China and Russia Forge Friendship
Abstract
In recent decades, the unprecedented degree of cooperation between China and Russia has prompted national security and foreign policy experts to question the exact nature and trajectory of the relationship. Within the contexts of the coronavirus pandemic, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and India's geopolitical ascendance, this thesis examines the degree to which material interests, ideological alignment, and friendship between Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin explain the deepening of Sino-Russian relations. The research finds the promise of mutual benefit inspires closer cooperation in areas of trade and defense and demonstrates how ideological similarities serve to reinforce one another's demands for a more inclusive international system that is both more stable and less vulnerable to the Wests financial and military intrusions. Though Xi and Putin's personal relationship is not the cause for strengthening partnership, it is a significant feature because it serves as the enabling mechanism for closer state-to-state collaboration. Lastly, the research suggests that despite the benefit of economic, military, and political-diplomatic cooperation, Chinas and Russia's pursuit of national interests is a potentially significant limitation. Given the context of state actions within the study, it appears that forfeiting national interests for the sake of sustaining the partnership is a risk neither China nor Russia is willing to accept.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213568
Entities
People
- Jordan T. Merritts
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School