On the Prospects for the Development of Sino-Russian Relations: The Strategic Partnership of Cooperation or New Type of Alliance?

　　Abstract:This article considers the nature and characteristics of the new type of relationship between China and Russia to assess whether the two states will form an alliance.It argues that the Post-Cold War strategic partnership between China and Russia has developed rapidly because of both internal and external factors.Their common interests and shared developmental logic represents the internal reason for the development of Sino-Russian relations; changes in the international situation and the imbalance of great powers represent the external reasons.The most pronounced characteristic of the new type of Sino-Russian relation is its flexibility, which helps the two states manage external security or economic issues in accordance with their national interests, enhances space on both sides for diplomacy and provides for greater equilibrium with an America crippled by financial crisis.Over the short term, China and Russia will continue to deepen and consolidate their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation; over the longer term, we cannot rule out the possibility of China and Russia forming once again a military or political alliance.