Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Russia
Relationship assessment
A close strategic partnership with extensive economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation, but no formal mutual-defense alliance.
People's Republic of China toward Russia
+70China has deepened economic and energy ties with Russia, including through increased trade and purchases of Russian energy. The two governments coordinate through recurring high-level meetings, and China joined Russia in issuing the February 2022 joint statement opposing further NATO enlargement and describing their partnership as having no limits.
Russia toward People's Republic of China
+70Russia has expanded energy exports and trade with China and has supported closer diplomatic coordination through regular high-level meetings and joint statements. Russian and Chinese forces have also conducted joint military exercises, reinforcing a sustained security relationship without creating a formal mutual-defense alliance.
Overall relationship
+70The relationship rests on a long-running treaty framework, regular political coordination, growing energy and trade links, and military exercises. These durable features support a close partnership, while the absence of a formal defense alliance and the economic asymmetry between the two countries limit its depth.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Russia maintain a close strategic partnership supported by recurring high-level coordination, expanding energy and trade ties, and military cooperation. Their 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation and the 2022 joint statement provide a durable framework. The partnership is not a formal mutual-defense alliance, and its scope is shaped by differing interests and an unequal economic relationship.
Key developments
China and Russia signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, establishing a durable framework for bilateral relations.
The Power of Siberia pipeline began delivering Russian natural gas to China.
The two governments issued a joint statement describing their partnership as having no limits and opposing further NATO enlargement.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and future scope of military and technology cooperation remain unclear.
- The long-term balance of economic benefits within the partnership is uncertain.