The Chinese-language edition of Russia’s Strategy in Asia by M.L. Titarenko, chairman of China-Russia Friendship Association and director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, was launched on May 16 at the Russian Embassy in Beijing to commemorate the author’s 80th birthday. Titarenko made an academic report in Chinese using the same title of his book at China Social Sciences Press on May 14.

Starting to look East, not West

What is Russia’s strategy in Asia？In Titarenko’s view, Russia is currently shifting from its traditional strategy of stressing relations with the West to instead “look East” by attaching more importance to the emerging framework of Russia’s strategy in Asia.

Examining Russia’s adjustment to its long-term strategy as well as new ideas in its diplomatic policy, Eurasianism is an ideological trend worthy of attention. However, not all Russians agree with the Eurasianism value system. Some scholars think that the term “Eurasianism” replacing traditional Russian ideas will lead to Russians’ disappearance in the “ambiguous masses.” Others worry that Russia, after practicing Eurasianism, will become further isolated from the West.

Titarenko is an advocate of Eurasianism. He believes that the Eurasianism model reflects the particularity of Russia’s geopolitics and civilization development. He said that this model doesn’t require Russia to completely break away from Europe and join Asia. It is instead an exclusive model that avoids Russia becoming “Western companions” and falling into the trap of “raw material dependency.”

Titarenko values Eurasianism’s basic methodology of “multiple centers,” which is not only conducive to the “harmonious co-existence of multi-ethnic cultures” domestically in Russia, but also of positive significance for establishing the global multi-center order from the perspective of international politics. “Eurasianism is actually internationalism,” Titarenko writes in his new book.

Far East exploitation at core of future Sino-Russian cooperation

Titarenko, who served for 20 years as chief China advisor for the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, has not only subtly captured the implications of the upcoming “Pacific era,” but also offered strategies for deepening Sino-Russian cooperation.

“There are enough reasons for China and Russia to stand side by side,” Titarenko said at his book launch, adding that disharmony between the Soviet Union and China caused socialism to pay a heavy price and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. “We should learn lessons from history. Russia and China should be eternal good neighbors,” added Titarenko.

In Russia’s national development strategy, Far East exploitation has emerged as an area of potential growth for future Sino-Russian cooperation. “Russia’s future development requires Siberia and the Far East to be exploited. To exploit these regions, Russia must cooperate with China and other countries in the Far East. China is undoubtedly Russia’s most reliable cooperative partner, and will become the biggest market for Russian goods,” said Titarenko, adding that China also needs to boost cooperation with Russiaboth countries need to consolidate its economic and energy security.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today No. 597, May 19, 2014.

Chinese link: http://www.csstoday.net/xueshuzixun/guoneixinwen/89618.html

Translated by Yu Hui

Revised by Tom Fearon