Partnership Or Alliance:the Strategic Choice Of Sino-Russian Relations

The world today is undergoing changes that have not been seen in a century,yet alliance politics still take up an important position in the international political spectrum,and alliance continues to be the mode of relations chosen by many countries,some major powers in particular.In the context of growing common challenges and deepening convergence of interests,alliance,an “old trick” that has been practiced by China and Russia for many times,becomes once again a “new topic” that both sides have to face.For a China with growing presence,international standing and influence,is the non-alignment policy an "elixir" of impetus or an "ironclad" of obstacles? How important are alliance politics in the foreign strategy of Russia,a country committed to rejuvenation?Facing an uncertain future,how do China and Russia put their relationship in the right perspective in order to ensure the smooth sailing of their ship of friendship?Is there a most suitable,lasting and proven way for China and Russia to get along?To China and Russia as well as their relationship,alliance is not a simple technical issue.Rather,it is a strategic question that bears on the overall interest.Answers to the above questions not only closely relate to the respective development and revitalization of the two countries,but also substantially affect the dynamics of major-country relations and the overall international relations,thus deeply shaping the direction of the great changes in the world.Therefore,a careful study of China-Russia relations and an in-depth and thorough research on the alliance issue in this relationship will help us to have a comprehensive and objective understanding of Russia's foreign strategy,especially the essence of its China policy.This will also further deepen the understanding of the core elements of China's foreign policy,helping to grasp the inherent laws and development trend of Sino-Russian relations in a historical,realistic and forward-looking perspective,and ensure that this relationship is always on the right track.This is of great practical significance for China to properly manage its relations with major countries,build a new type of international relations,grasp and make good use of the period of strategic opportunities,create a peaceful and stable external environment,and successfully realize the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of great national renewal.It is undeniable that alliance is an important issue in international politics and a major yardstick to measure the level of relations between countries.To certain extent,the history of international relations is also a history of alliance politics.Be it the splendid ancient civilization thousands of years ago or the highly prosperous modern civilization,alliance is like an invisible hand directing the union and separation between countries,division and grouping among world powers,and changes in the international community.However,it is noteworthy that in the world today,the concept of alliance is obviously "outdated" in both form and content,and appears archaic.Against the backdrop of the international community calling for multi-polarization and democratization,it is certainly difficult to ask one country to submit to the interests of another country unconditionally.Even in the most advanced and successful American alliance system,the United States and its allies in Europe and the Asia-Pacific are seeing increasing rifts.The fundamental difference lies in "interests",that is,should the interests of the allies be respected or those of the United States be obeyed? Therefore,the current path of alliance politics is not easy to follow,and the way ahead is bound to be difficult.So,apart from alliance,is there a model of state-to-state relations,especially for the major countries,that can manage each other's interests with greater balance and better meet each other's development needs?The answer is affirmative.Because the world is colorful,and there is no unified paradigm for state-to-state relations.This paper does not advocate China-Russia alliance,and believes that partnership instead of alliance is the best model for Sino-Russian relations.This is not only based on the experience of bilateral exchanges,but also determined by their actual national conditions and the needs of long-term development of their relations.More importantly,the core values of mutual respect and equality of this model match the spirit and development trend of the times.China-Russia relations are not abstract and static,but concrete and changing.This is a major-country relationship that is living,and adjusting and improving to the development of the situation.It is particularly fruitful and remarkable with experience and achievements today when the bilateral ties have been so accomplished.Notwithstanding,there are also some serious and salient problems and challenges.As China-Russia relations enter a new era,how to go far and steady is an issue that needs to be studied in depth and taken seriously.Therefore,China and Russia need to accurately grasp the pulse of the times,keep up the pioneering entrepreneurship,create more highlights and breakthroughs in the content and models of cooperation,and blaze the trail with greater vibrancy and vitality for their relations.This paper attempts to build on the results of previous studies,and research further in combination with relevant theories and opinions to study specifically the alliance issue between China and Russia from the perspective of history and reality,focusing on the formation,nature and characteristics of the foreign policies of China and Russia as well as their bilateral ties.This paper is innovative and unique as it tries to combine the three perspectives of Russia,China and Sino-Russian relations on the basis of theoretical research to reveal their dynamics in a panoramic picture,and put forward countermeasures and suggestions after full deliberation.The paper is divided into seven chapters.The first chapter starts with the traditional alliance theory,laying out the basics of the traditional alliance theory,clarifying the basic concept of alliance,and summarizing the conditions for the continuation of alliance and the major factors affecting alliance.The second chapter studies American alliance system.On the basis of a recount of the evolution of the American alliance thinking and the establishment of the alliance system,the focus is on the features,problems and future development of the American global alliance system under the Trump administration.The third chapter analyzes the alliance politics and Russia's foreign strategy.Based on a comprehensive review of Russia's foreign strategy,it studies the main causes,characteristics and practices of Russia's alliance politics for further understanding of the strategic considerations and principles of Russia's alliance with foreign countries.The fourth chapter discusses the relationship between China and Russia and the Sino-Russian(Soviet Union)alliance in history,sorting out the course of events,analyzing the causes of failure,and summarizing the historical lessons in depth.The fifth chapter elaborates on the alliance politics and Russia's China policy.It goes through the evolution and characteristics of Russia's China policy for further understanding of how Russia views and approaches China,and thus the possibility of Russia's alliance with China.The sixth chapter mainly discusses the China-Russia relationship and China's foreign strategy.Taking the influence of Chinese traditional culture on diplomatic thinking as the starting point,it construes the influence of China-Russia relations on the adjustments of China's foreign strategies since the founding of the People's Republic,and analyzes the significance of China's non-alignment policy and the building of a community of shared future for humanity that it proposed.The seventh chapter is the summary of the whole paper,which is mainly a comprehensive analysis from the perspective of bilateral relations.It expounds on the nature and characteristics of Sino-Russian relations as well as the obstacles to a possible alliance,concludes that partnership instead of alliance is the best model for Sino-Russian relations,and puts forward suggestions on how to further the Sino-Russian relations.