Carnegie Moscow Center
The emerging Sino-Russian relationship in the Xi-Putin era is likely to take the form of a tandem in which China will be the driving force, though not at the cost of Russia surrendering its independence.
Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow may not necessarily be historic, but it is certainly symbolic of the long way bilateral relations between Russia and China have come.
Xi Jinping’s first foreign trip as China’s president reflects the remarkable progress made in the Chinese-Russian relationship. But potential pitfalls remain.
China’s new leaders will stay focused on domestic issues. With its growing relative economic and military advantages, China is largely comfortable with its current foreign policies.
The United States will probably continue to limit its presence in global affairs because Barack Obama is committed to a more moderate U.S. role in foreign affairs.
The Russian government should transition to a comprehensive and overarching strategy in South Asia.
A 60-year dispute between Russia and Japan could be resolved if Russia gives up the South Kuril Islands. Also, both countries should de-militarize the area as they work toward a solution.
If the United States and Europe look the other way, North Korea's provocations will continue to threaten the regional order. The Six-Party Talks are unlikely to provide a solution, but Russia could intervene.
A comparison of China and Russia can reveal not only the dramas of undemocratic societies and the limitations of modernization efforts by top-down governments, but also the challenges that the West faces.
Putin’s new foreign policy doctrine has control as its true objective, sovereignty as its slogan, and nationalism as its soul.