China-Russian Relations

Author Dmitri Trenin noted that for the first time in 30 years, China is more powerful and dynamic than Russia, and can "back up its economic and security interests with hefty infusions of cash."

For instance, in recent months, Beijing has offered a $10 billion loan to countries in Central Asia; provided a currency swap to Belarus; and found a billion dollars of aid for Moldova, "double Moscow’s promised sum."

"It is worth remembering that China refused to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in August 2008, setting an example for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Central Asian members, which then followed its lead, not Russia's."

The director of the Carnegie Moscow Center noted that although Russian-Chinese collaboration is growing, China is emerging as the state driving the bilateral agenda (Russia Reborn, Reimagining Moscow’s Foreign Policy, in Foreign Affairs, November/December 2009).

China is one of Russia's leading trading partners and a fast-growing market that could also become a major source of capital investment for Russia. Hence, Moscow "has no alternative but to seek friendly and cooperative relations with Beijing."

"A key challenge for Russia's foreign policy will be to learn to live alongside a China that is strong, dynamic, assertive, and increasingly advanced."

Isn't that quite a difficult pill to swallow, given that just a few decades ago the Russians (or rather the Soviets) were imparting ideological and technological knowhow to their Chinese counterparts?

In the article, Trenin said that it will be difficult for Russia to adopt a new role "after 500 years as an empire, 70 years as an ideological warrior, and over 40 years during the Cold War as a military superpower." He added that Russia needs to pursue a foreign policy "that serves its needs, not its nostalgia." Ouch.