Comrades in Arms: The Military-Strategic Aspects of China-Russia Relations

Abstract

Within less than two decades China achieved a considerable qualitative leap in capability acquisition and development that allowed the nation to transform its military from being a technologically backward army of peasant draftees into a technologically advanced fighting force. One of the key determinants behind this success story—the Sino-Russian military cooperation and its real extent—has been largely ignored. Yet, the relationship with Russia in the sphere of security and defence allowed the People’s Liberation Army to reduce the capability gap with other regional powers and to launch a strategic push into Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region. The current state of Sino-Russia defence relations has not reached a status of a fully grown military alliance. Nevertheless, it has a profound impact on China’s strategic agenda and regional behaviour and has become one of key determinants of regional security in Northeast and Central Asia.