Sino-Russian cooperation calls for balancing interests
- By Cui Heng
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 17, 2014
To make that happen, cementing the Moscow-Kazan high-speed railway is a practical move. Russia only operates one truly high-speed rail - the one that links Moscow and St. Petersburg, which entirely relies on Germany for its technology and equipment. But given the disputes between Russia and the EU over Ukraine, such cooperation is not sustainable, creating an opportunity for China's railway technology. What's more, such a market is also beneficial for China's high-speed railways.
In addition, Russia needs to upgrade its sports facilities to accommodate the 2018 FIFA World Cup, since most of its stadiums have become obsolete. The large demand for infrastructure will create more opportunities for emerging economies, given Moscow's tense relations with the Western countries. Therefore, if China can transform Sino-Russian economic cooperation so that it is led by investment instead of trade, the foundation of bilateral ties can be consolidated further.
The state-run Russian Railways is one of the largest enterprises in Russia, and enjoys a strong influence in the Russian government. Its president, Vladimir Ivanovich Yakunin, also a government figure, has direct influence over Putin.
Russian Railways once frowned upon the Eastern China-Russian Oil Pipeline, and caused troubles for China using its influence in the Russian parliament. This example shows the significance of the power structure in the Russian society and the importance of balancing the interests of all parties in Sino-Russian cooperation.
The writer is a Ph.D. student at the Russia Study Centre of East China Normal University.
The article was first published in Chinese and translated by Chen Boyuan.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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