of power and alliance. Just half a century ago, the two nations were at odds and nearing

nuclear war. But today, China and Russia work together in groups like BRICS and the Shanghai

Cooperation Organization. So, why do Russia and China love each other?

Well, in the early 20th century, Russia and China were both in the middle of Communist

revolutions. National leaders Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong even created similar cults

of personality surrounding their leadership. However, when Stalin died in 1953, his successor

denounced his repressive regime and created a rift between China and the USSR. In 1961,

because of the USSR’s divergent ideology, Mao’s regime called the new Soviet government

“revisionist traitors.” At a peak of Cold War tension, the two almost went to war over

territorial conflicts. But when the Cold War ended in the 90s, so did a de facto alliance

between the US and China against Soviet Russia. Diplomatic tensions thawed. As the two countries

expanded economically, they found it mutually beneficial to pursue a “constructive partnership.”

The success of this new alliance led to the 2001 treaty of “friendship and cooperation”

ensuring mutual MILITARY cooperation.

The alliance between these world superpowers has served to make both countries more powerful.

Russia is the largest country with the 2nd strongest military in the world. They have

more nuclear weapons than even the United States. Meanwhile, China has one of the largest

economies, and is the most populous nation. As of 2014, after the US, China and Russia

spend the most on their militaries.

Their alliance has flourished especially since 2014, when the US and Europe imposed economic

sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine. Russians have been able to support their economy

with increased business ties to China. And China has benefitted from increased pre-eminence

in the Eurasia region - slowly rising up to counterbalance Western dominance.

However, today, experts claim the countries remain suspicious of one another. Russia,

in the midst of an economic recession, wants a higher price for their oil than China’s

willing to pay. And China is wary of Russia’s military and energy links to India and Vietnam,

both of which are China’s rivals. Also, in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea,

China is concerned about potential border conflicts with their northern neighbor. All

in all, they have quite a few minor but potentially serious conflicts, which undermine complete

trust in one another.

America and Europe are watching Russia and China’s diplomatic friendship carefully.

Western leaders have already stepped up efforts to “pivot to Asia,” and address future

competition from the East. Although the US and the European Union still lead the world

in nominal GDP figures, the combined military and economic might of China and Russia cannot

be ignored. Their cooperation through billion-dollar energy deals, trade, and military training

drills has the world wondering what the future holds for the Sino-Russian alliance.

Russia isn’t China’s only close ally in the region. China also supports North Korea.

To find out why, watch this video. Thanks for watching TestTube News! Don’t forget

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