Scribd
Upload
2 views2 pages

China-Russia Alliances: Key Phases Explained

The document outlines the theory of alliance formation, emphasizing that states ally to counter threats rather than power alone. It details the historical phases of the China-Russia relationship, from early isolation and economic reliance on the Soviet Union to a strategic partnership under Xi Jinping. The Ukraine War is presented as a scenario where China stands to benefit regardless of the outcome, as it diverts US attention and strengthens China's resource access from Russia.

Uploaded by

4charlielil2
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views2 pages

China-Russia Alliances: Key Phases Explained

The document outlines the theory of alliance formation, emphasizing that states ally to counter threats rather than power alone. It details the historical phases of the China-Russia relationship, from early isolation and economic reliance on the Soviet Union to a strategic partnership under Xi Jinping. The Ukraine War is presented as a scenario where China stands to benefit regardless of the outcome, as it diverts US attention and strengthens China's resource access from Russia.

Uploaded by

4charlielil2
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Week 4

Theory of alliance formation


- What causes states to support one another’s foreign policy/how do states
choose their friends?
- States ally to balance against threats rather than against power alone
- Neither foreign aid nor political penetration is by itself a powerful case of
alignment

China and Russia


Phase 1: Alliance in the early years
- Newly established China was isolated and faced many enemies.
- Leaning towards Moscow for economic assistance and security:
soviet as the model of China, friendship
- Enlarging the camp of communist parties/states

Phase 2: Sino-Soviet split and radicalisation of China’s


FP
- De-Stalinisation in the Soviet Union
- Khrushchev’s ‘peaceful coexistence’ v Mao’s revisionism
- Mao stood firm in confronting both Soviet Union and USA

Phase 3: US and China against the Soviet


- Nixon’s visit in 1972 “the visit that changed the world” – the enemy
of my enemy is my friend
- Full diplomatic relations with US established in 1979
- Allowed China to establish relations with US allies

Phase 4: Post-Cold War


- From a constructive partnership to a strategic partnership
- Increasing anti-Western stance- started to adopt similar positions on
major political issues
- Eliminating sources of conflict: 1991 Sino-Soviet Broder Agreement,
mutual border demilitarisation, establishing a common security
space

Phase 5: No Limits Partnership


- Xi Jinping and Putin announced no limits partnership- a couple of
weeks later Russia invaded Ukraine
- Both are called strategic competitors by the US
- China is no longer the junior partner – position reversal

China and Ukraine War – whoever loses the


war, China wins.
- Ukraine War diverted US attention and means from China
- The prospect of permanently weakened Russia
- China has access to cheap raw materials from Russia
- Lessons learned from China: the limits of US and allies’
commitments and diminishing support for wars

You might also like