"Partner Or Alliance?"-China-Russia Strategic Cooperation Explored

The economic boost makes China now a major power in the international system. One pinpoint of the realist theory on international politics is that states will acquire power to ensure their own position and security within the system. One effective way major or Great Powers have done is through alliance shaping. Historically saying, China has not had much success in cultivating long-standing alliance relationships. In the mean time, cooperation between it and its neighbor Russia have been growing stronger.In response to U.S.’s return to Asia-Pacific strategy, China and Russia has expected growth on mutual cooperation in current international status, including the recent North Korea nuclear weapon issue, which lead to a strong objection for the implement of THAAD by U.S. and South Korea. In the mean time, China and Russia have a conversation platform. The SCO was build in 2001, reinforcing the military talk between the two country, rendering Russia a alternative choice and negotiation room when facing NATO.This paper, by using balancing power and balancing threat as justifications for Great Powers to form alliances,.build a logic basis for providence of alliance in today’s global environment. Both countries need to adopt rational choice so as to be beneficiary from each side. This paper, by putting pros and cons of China and Russia alliance, provides a overall view of why China and Russia should or should not form an alliance.This paper put importance on both balancing power and balancing threat as justifications for Great Powers to form alliances. As both a powerful state and a potential threat, the United States serves as the prime impetus to both Russia and China for aligning with each other. Whether the US is ah actual threat to both Russia and China is intangible, rathgiylisjthe perception of both China and Russia that the US’s military strength and stated policy of promoting democratic values that represent a practical threat to the established leadership in both countries. China is in an unique position as a runner-up competitor to the US; however, with few natural allies, Russia is still powerful country but in a relative state of decline. This paper will explore the possible alliance or cooperation between the two country based on the discussion.