Future of China-Russia ties lies in further strengthening mutual needs

World
Europe

‍Editor's Note: Chen Yu is an assistant research professor at the Institute of Eurasian Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, Beijing and Moscow agreed to upgrade their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new ear.

In the past 70 years, the China-Russia relationship has experienced a honeymoon period and also hard times. Now it has finally been upgraded. There is a general consensus at both the official level and academic level that China-Russia relations are at their best period in history.

In terms of economy, China-Russia bilateral trade volume exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars for the first time last year. The two countries signed a natural gas supply agreement in 2014. Russia will start supplying natural gas to China at the end of this year, and the annual supply will reach 38 billion cubic meters.

In transportation, the construction of Tongjiang Railway Bridge and Blagoveshchensk-Heihe Bridge has realized the direct passage on the Heilongjiang River, the boundary river between China and Russia.

In terms of military cooperation, China has become the first foreign buyer of Russia's SU-35 fighter and S-400 anti-missile system. The two sides also held joint military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and the South China Sea, which demonstrated the high level of their military cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands before talks in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

The two countries' achievements in bilateral political relations and international strategic cooperation are especially outstanding.

The two heads of state have established a regular meeting mechanism. Close contacts have laid a solid foundation for the development of China-Russia relations and the improvement of mutual political trust.

China and Russia stand close to a series of regional and international hotspot issues such as cybersecurity, the DPRK nuclear issue, Afghanistan unrest, and so forth.

How China-Russia relations will further develop at the new historical starting point of the 70th anniversary has been heatedly discussed.

Some argue that China and Russia should become alliances so that the two could jointly respond to the challenges of the United States. However, today's world is totally different from the past.

There is an increasing number of power centers and actors in the global arena. Against this backdrop, no country can simply repeat the old way. The alliance is not an ideal choice for China and Russia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold talks in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Moreover, some argue that the U.S. is trying to draw Russia to its chariot so as to jointly counter China. Based on it, they believe that China should reposition its relations with Russia.

Admittedly, Beijing and Moscow may see some structural differences, but high-level interactions between the two continue to rise.

More importantly, China-Russia relations are based on mutual needs and common interests. The two countries have not and will not target a third party. Russia will not sacrifice China-Russia relations to court the United States.

The key to the prospering China-Russia relationship is to expand mutual needs and consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations. Only in this way can China-Russia relations maintain stable development in the changing times.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)