Sino-Russian cooperation in the context of Sino-US strategic rivalry

With the strategic rivalry between China and the United States becoming a hot issue in current international relations, a probe into the causes of such rivalry is of realistic importance. Different from views that regard the escalation of the rivalry as resulting from the structural differences between the Chinese and American economy, the author argues that it is the changes in American politics that have intensified the ideological rivalry of the United States against China. Under the impact of this strategic shift in American politics, particularly with the narrowing of gaps between the national strengths of China and the United States, the United States is changing its views of China, regarding the latter as its would-be enemy. The improper handling of social problems brought about by economic globalization has worsened the relationship between the American government and society, bringing in its wake waves of populism, whose particular concern with economic issues in turn makes the American government pay particular attention to economic issues in its China agenda. The polarized appeals of interests of American voters have accelerated the polarization of American politics, which further lifts up the intensity of the strategic rivalry of the United States against China, causing its China policy to waiver from time to time. This is the direct cause of the downturn of the Sino-US relationship. Facing the escalating strategic competition between China and the United States, the 20th National Congress of the CPC made it clear that with the world entering into a period of turbulence following the transference of power from the West to the East, it is important to strengthen international governance to keep peace and stability of the world. In this context, China needs to coordinate its diplomatic relations with major countries and neighboring countries and strive for the building of a human community with a shared future in order to cope with the escalating strategic rivalry from the United States. At the same time, China needs to strengthen its cooperation with Russia to alleviate the security pressure from the Sino- US strategic competition. China and Russia have extensive common ground in promoting the multi-polarization of the world and maintaining peace in Eurasia as well as in cooperation with new emerging economies. Both countries should shoulder their responsibilities as great powers for promoting world peace and development while safeguarding their own national security.

china, United States, russia, domestic politics, Great powers politics