Sino–Russian Relations Status Exchange or Imbalanced Relationship?

Sino–Russian relations stand as a puzzling interaction of collaboration and competition. Realists have argued that if Russia and China should form a viable alliance, the balance of power in international politics would be altered. There has been little evidence of this taking place, however. Attempts to see the relationship as a harbinger of a new multilateralism also fail to find evidence of growing interdependence between the two. This article explores whether Russia and China can be seen as mutual status-granters. It suggests that through rapprochement and treaty building, Russia and China have shed apprehensions over time, and that this is a partnership based on mutual respect, honor and status-seeking.