The Sino-Russian summit, which has just come to a close, has injected new vitality into Sino-Russian relations. The joint proclamation on world order in the 21st century and a joint statement are significant historical documents that herald a new, more developed era for bilateral ties. 

The Sino-Russian relationship, after repeated adjustments since the end of the Cold War, has been jointly defined and accepted as one of "strategic cooperative partnership." The two countries have a lot of common interests and shared values looking to the future, and the relationship, thus defined, accurately reflects reality.

More overlapping national interests serve as a strong basis for Sino-Russian relations. There are many joint strategic interests, which can be summarized as follows:

Joint economic benefits

With economic cooperation and trade between the two countries sustaining their momentum, bilateral trade reached a record US$21.3 billion in 2004. There is still potential for growth as the two economies are complimentary in nature.

Five years from now this figure is expected to rise to US$60-80 billion, which will make China-Russia one of the most important trading partnerships in the world.

China will become a major source of investment for Russia. Energy and military manufacturing are some of the key areas where the two countries can work together. This summit has removed some of the stumbling blocks in the way of cooperation in the energy sector.

Shared security concerns

Sino-Russian military cooperation will deepen in the face of the challenges and threats posed by the complicated international situation. It has become a pressing and shared need of both countries to protect the strategic stability and balance on the Asian-European continent, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. From whichever angle it is looked at, the security interests of the two countries are interlocked.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue are regional multilateral gatherings that are essential to Sino-Russian security cooperation.

Common political grounds

Although China and Russia differ in political systems and ideologies, the two countries have overlapping political interests, such as mutual support for national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Specifically, Russia supports the one-China policy and China is firm in endorsing Russia's efforts to maintain its national sovereignty and unity as it fights against separatism and terrorism.

Regional and international interests

China and Russia are not only large countries on the Asian-European continent and in the Asia-Pacific region, but also permanent members of the UN Security Council, sharing interests on many critical issues affecting the region and the world. This is where the "strategic partnership" comes into play.

Sino-Russian relations are not only built on a solid and ever-expanding foundation of common interests, but also on more and more shared values. On many matters, the two take similar stances. The joint proclamation on world order in the new century covers similarities:

Both countries favor democratization in international relations, a multi-polar world and multiple forms for the model of development. Both have proposed a "harmonious world."

Both oppose and avoid the management of international affairs through resort to the flexing of prowess and military power with the aim of monopolizing the world stage. Both agree that a new world order should be fair and sensible and take into account a realistic world view.

The Sino-Russian "strategic cooperative partnership," in the opinions of both countries, has made a vital contribution to this new world order and will continue to play a major role in it. Both nations appeal to all countries to conduct extensive dialogue on the issue of establishing this new world order for the 21st century.

The two countries, similarly victimized by terrorism, extremism and separatism, share views on new threats and new challenges facing the world and will continue to work together in fighting against these evil forces.

The two countries take a similar stance on the reform of the United Nations, believing the organization is irreplaceable in its role of preserving world peace and security. The Security Council must strengthen its role in handling major international issues. Both countries support UN reform, which both believe can help with multilateralism and increase the authority and efficiency of the organization as well as its capabilities in meeting new challenges and threats.

As both countries have repeatedly stated, the "strategic cooperative partnership," as personified by such events as upcoming joint military maneuvers, is not a political or military alliance and not targeted towards any third party.

With such a strategic interest, both China and Russia are able to resolve some mutual disputes and dispel mistrust, paving the way for broader and deeper bilateral cooperation.

(China Daily July 6, 2005)