A common rise: future of Sino-Russian relations
Viewed from the perspective of the law of historical evolution, both China and Russia are at their strongest since the end of the Cold War. The two countries are faced with six near-identical historical missions: attain national rejuvenation, safeguard sovereignty and integrity, promote economic transformation, assume international responsibility, safeguard world peace and promote global development. The question of their common rise is an important topic in Sino-Russian relations in the new era, concerning also the future of the world. the BRI and Eurasian Economic Union, with the “Silk Road on Ice” being a major component. On December 8, production began on the first line of the joint Sino-Russian Yamal LNG program, representing a major achievement in connecting cooperation. China welcomes increased European and US involvement in this initiative. Launched by the US, the trade war is most inimical to international cooperation and an important factor affecting globalization. China is not its sole victim, and the international community should work together to deal with the threat.
Third, reform should become a universal world value. Global problems can only be solved by global reform. 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up in China. China owes much of its achievements to large-scale, effective reform and opening-up to the outside world. China’s current deepening of reform also provides opportunities for promoting the structural transformation of its economy, freeing up space for economic development. Since coming to power, Putin also initiated wide-ranging reform in areas such as politics, the economy and the military. Internal reform is, therefore, a means of overcoming resistance to economic development and strengthening the inner driver for national development.
Transformation of the current system of global governance coheres with the general trend of historical development. China plays an active role in this historical process, advancing positive reform of the international community. China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the BRI are important measures for filling the gap in international public goods, reducing the development deficit and promoting global reform. In recent years, China and Russia have played pivotal roles in promoting reform of the old and unfair world order. The BRICS bank established by the two countries supplies fresh ideas for promoting world financial reform. It goes without saying that reform needs more than simply overthrowing the existing structure and building anew. It must also account for current developments.
In sum, the common rise of China and Russia is the rejuvenation of peace and cooperation. Reform is an important guarantor of peace and promoter of cooperation. Both countries are committed to promoting shared rejuvenation, a theme that accords with the national development priorities of many countries and coheres with their longterm interests. Yet one would be wrong to think of rejuvenation as a zero-sum game. Rather, it is a process of cooperation. Only joint reform can promote common rejuvenation.