China-Russia diplomatic and security relationship: A historical review

Abstract

Treball de fi de Màster en Estudis Xinesos. Curs 2016-2017Focusing on historical developments in the course of three and half centuries in Russia and China, this thesis examines the construction of their diplomatic ties since the first encounters. Their interaction began in the seventeenth century and had remained friendly, yet hardly close. During Sino-Soviet relationship, both sides had apparently had insurmountable suspicions of each other and suffered bilateral crises, due to their ideological differences and leaders´ personalities. The remarkable improvement and renewal of ties on all levels has started in the post-Cold War period and increasingly carries on at present. The Sino-Russian partnership helps both countries to fulfil their regional geostrategic ambitions and enables them to pursue their goals worldwide. This work scrutinises security ties between Russia and China, by analysing the frequent border disputes and treaties that settled ongoing conflicts. Through a deep insight and analysis of the process of the Sino-Russian relationship forging, this thesis answers why their ties were important at different historical stages. By the means of historic approach and political analysis, it progresses since the 17th century onwards, reviewing each of the critical periods in their history and at present. On the other hand, it concentrates on the nature of the relation and explores the depth and limits of this important partnership that has influenced the global political scene. This thesis also delves into Asian geopolitical spaces in Chinese and Russian foreign policy to review on each of them whether two countries are allies or competitors and how they manage opposite interests. The strengthening of Sino-Russian relations is of great interest on the global level, because it can change the balance of power in the world and set up new rules in international policy. Their preference for multilateral governance menaces the supremacy of the US in the world. Also, by coordinating their foreign policies, two governments are able to override many decisions and block Western-backed efforts. Thus, it is of enormous importance to to consider how their relationship evolves and how they understand the international system and in which way they hedge to protect their own and mutual intentions and perspectives on the current global scene