Notwithstanding predictions since 1991 that Russia and China would form an anti-U.S. bloc, the normalization of their relations has proceeded for reasons mostly unrelated to any joint effort to counterbalance the United States. Russian arms sales do not constitute a military alliance. The two countries’ policies on important issues have been uncoordinated and often conflicting. Finally, despite security agreements signifying the end of their Cold War hostility, nondefense economic ties and societal contacts between Russia and China have remained minimal
