Have We Passed the Peak of Sino-Russian Rapprochement?

Abstract

Russian-Chinese rapprochement is one of the most important modern geopolitical shifts. Recently, it seems that those who argue that closer relations between Moscow and Beijing stem from their converging interests, values, and worldviews have won out over those who claimed theirs is essentially a marriage of convenience—a tactical arrangement for countering attacks by the United States and its allies. According to some forecasts, the mutual understanding between the two countries will deepen in the foreseeable future and they will form, if not a formal then at least a de facto, alliance. Events indicate that, in fact, Russia and China have strengthened their interaction. Butwill this trendcontinue?Recentdevelopments, such asBeijing’s assertivenew foreign policy, its “wolf warrior” diplomacy (which is beginning to annoy Russia’s political elite), and several political repercussions from the coronavirus pandemic suggest that the peak of Russian-Chinese rapprochement has probably passed.