Moscow’s Response to a Rising China

This article analyzes Moscow’s orientation toward Beijing. While China’s rise raises worries for most neighboring states, it appears that for Russia, security concerns vis-à-vis the United States and NATO outweigh other considerations. Russo–Chinese military cooperation has increased through high-tech arms trade, bilateral exercises, and improved border relations. The article asks whether Moscow is downplaying a pragmatic partnership policy in favor of a more permanent strategic approach in its military policies toward China. By pursuing arms sales and bilateral exercises, Russia allows for vulnerability in its cooperation with China, indicating a strategic partnership. At the same time, deployments along the common border point to safeguarding and pragmatic elements, revealing a not fully coherent strategy.