On July 6, 2023, Rossiya Segodnya International Multimedia Press Center hosted a Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) roundtable discussion "Russian–Chinese Dialogue: The 2023 Model". The event was marked by the presentation of the ninth annual report by the Russian International Affairs Council, the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS), and the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University (Shanghai).
The speakers of the round table included: Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Academic Director; Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Dean of the Faculty of International Economic Relations of the Financial University Under the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chair of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, RIAC Member; Feng Yujun, Deputy Director of Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, Director of the Institute of Russian and Central Asian Studies at Fudan University; Gao Jixiang, Deputy Director of the Department of Russian Economics of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IREECAS, CASS).
The experts discussed the state of and prospects for the development of Russia-China relations in the face of a changing world order and tense international circumstances. Particular attention was paid to the issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, economics, transport, and logistics under sanctions.
On July 6, 2023, Rossiya Segodnya International Multimedia Press Center hosted a Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) roundtable discussion "Russian–Chinese Dialogue: The 2023 Model". The event was marked by the presentation of the ninth annual report by the Russian International Affairs Council, the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS), and the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University (Shanghai).
The speakers of the round table included: Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Academic Director; Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Dean of the Faculty of International Economic Relations of the Financial University Under the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chair of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, RIAC Member; Feng Yujun, Deputy Director of Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, Director of the Institute of Russian and Central Asian Studies at Fudan University; Gao Jixiang, Deputy Director of the Department of Russian Economics of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IREECAS, CASS).
The experts discussed the state of and prospects for the development of Russia-China relations in the face of a changing world order and tense international circumstances. Particular attention was paid to the issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, economics, transport, and logistics under sanctions.
Abstracts
Andrey Kortunov
The period covered in the report turned out to be very difficult and controversial not only for Russia, but also for China. In 2022–2023 relations between Russia and the West have sharply deteriorated, sanctions pressure has intensified. There were also crises in relations between China and the United States, in particular around the Taiwan issue. At the same time, Russian-Chinese relations have reached a new level of development, as evidenced by the visits of top and high-level officials.
The report "Russian–Chinese Dialogue: The 2023 Model" focuses on the "bottlenecks" in bilateral relations, which require attention both at the expert and official levels. In particular, the authors of the report analyzed the financial basis of Russian-Chinese relations. Russia and China are gradually moving to settlements in national currencies, in recent years this process has noticeably accelerated, but it is too early to talk about a complete rejection of the dollar.
The issue of further development of the transport and logistics infrastructure remains very important for Russian-Chinese cooperation. This also applies to pipelines, and railway transport, bridge border crossings, and port infrastructure. Some difficulties have emerged in connection with the considerable growth of bilateral trade, which will require significant efforts over the next few years.
There is a need to diversify Russian-Chinese trade. 2022 was marked by an increase in Russian agricultural exports to China, the range of export positions has expanded, but there is still work to be done. One of the fundamental issues is the export of Russian pork to China, it is necessary to address the problems related to phytosanitary and other restrictions.
One of the key challenges was the change in the very nature of relations between Russia and China, with a transition from predominantly trade relations to relations of deep industrial integration in different sectors of the economy. The report focuses on specific sectors of the economy where such integration would be most productive.
Kirill Babaev
Today, relations between Russia and China are the locomotive for the emergence of a new system of international relations, replacing the one that did not justify itself, ceasing to exist in the spring of 2022. Russia and China are shaping the agenda that will personify the new system of international relations.
At the current stage, Moscow and Beijing are actively developing a strategy for the further development of relations, especially in the economic sphere. In this regard, the interaction between the analytical and scientific centers of the two countries is the foundation for the formation of Russia's policy in relation to China and the policy of the PRC in relation to Russia.
Research literature of the two countries does not suggest enough quality material on the challenges and prospects of conjugating the economic initiatives of Russia and China. Today, China assigns significance to the development of the One Belt, One Road initiative, so it is important to find ways to link the OBOR with Russian initiatives. In many ways, this should be facilitated by the work of the expert and scientific community.
Feng Yujun
In 2022, the international structure and world order have undergone profound changes. The events that have taken place will lead to the transformation of the European and Eurasian regional subsystems, will have an impact on global security, economic order, and the process of globalization.
External factors did not affect Russian-Chinese relations. This is evidenced by political exchanges at a high level, the growth in the volume of bilateral trade, and closer interaction within the framework of the SCO and BRICS.
However, it should be taken into account that the positions of Russia and China on various issues of the international agenda do not always coincide. It is necessary to discuss the diverging positions and nuances that exist in the national interests of the two countries. In many ways, this discourse should be present in the work of academic institutions and think tanks in Russia and China.
Gao Jixiang
Think tanks in Russia and China should provide more intellectual support for bridging the OBOR and the Greater Eurasian Partnership. Research in this area is not enough on both sides.
It is necessary to address the issues of unifying standards and rules, including the railway gauge standard, the rules for the functioning and use of payment systems, ways of developing information infrastructure, e-commerce, as well as digital and transport corridors.
It is necessary to strengthen the foundations of economic cooperation between Russia and China. At the same time, the concept of cooperation should change: it is necessary to increase the level of participation of the Eurasian region in the global value chain.
Now it is important to resolve the issues of raising funds for the development of the Arctic, increasing the volume of cargo transportation, providing satellite communication services, the Internet, and navigation.
