With many predicting the end of US hegemony, Russia and China's growing cooperation in a number of key strategic areas looks set to have a major impact on global power dynamics. But what lies behind this Sino-Russian rapprochement? Is it simply the result of deteriorated RussoUS and SinoUS relations or does it date back to a more fundamental alignment of interests after the Cold War?

In this book Alexander Lukin answers these questions, offering a deeply informed and nuanced assessment of Russia and Chinas ever-closer ties. Tracing the evolution of this partnership from the 1990s to the present day, he shows how economic and geopolitical interests drove the two countries together in spite of political and cultural differences. Key areas of cooperation and possible conflict are explored, from bilateral trade and investment to immigration and security. Ultimately, Lukin argues that China and Russias strategic partnership is part of a growing system of cooperation in the non-Western world, which has also seen the emergence of a new political community: Greater Eurasia. His vision of the new ChinaRussia rapprochement will be essential reading for anyone interested in understanding this evolving partnership and the way in which it is altering the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Alexander Lukin is Head of the International Relations Department at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Contents

Acknowledgements

About the author

Foreword

Chapter 1. Russia, China and the changing international system

Chapter 2. Russia in the eyes of China

Chapter 3. Russia's pivot to Asia or China? Chinese views of Russia

Chapter 4. From normalization to strategic partnership

Chapter 5. The strategic partnership matures: multidimensional cooperation

Conclusions. Beyond Strategic Partnership? Managing relations in an insecure world