The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic relations. The relationship between China and Russia not only impacts both countries’ development and safety, but also affects Eurasia and the globe. In today’s complex and volatile world, how can China and Russia safeguard their stability and prosperity through cooperation? How can the two countries work together to enhance their global influence and build a community with a shared future for humanity? Having these questions in mind, CSST journalist interviewed Andrey Gubin, who is an assistant professor at the International Relations Department of Far Eastern Federal University, also head of the Regional Center for AsiaPacific Studies at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, and Alyona Shtetsberg, an International Students Specialist at the International Policy Department of the Institute for Social Sciences in The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA).

Gubin suggested that, as the largest countries in Eurasia, Russia and China share common interests geopolitically and economically. The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) proposed by Russia is based on existing institutions and features flexible and effective mechanisms and procedures. The EEU, which provides a structure for Eurasian integration, enables more efficient cooperation by easing bureaucratic and organizational issues. The Belt and Road (B&R) initiative uses Chinese capital and technology to stimulate all of Eurasia. In Survival: Global Politics and Strategy February–March 2019, Nadège Rolland, a senior fellow for Political and Security Affairs at the National Bureau of Asian Research suggests that the Eurasian landmass is the primary focus of China’s BRI and Russia’s EEU. The two countries have demonstrated similarity in trying to develop a cooperative framework that allows for an alignment of their respective flagship Eurasian initiatives. Gubin noted that Russia and China have their unique strengths, and therefore it is important that the two countries divide workload accordingly in their cooperation.

According to Gubin, Russia is seeking to cooperate with other East Asian states, with some tangible success already achieved with South Korea and some ASEAN members.

Eurasia’s benefits from China-Russia academic cooperation have been analyzed in the Russian International Affairs Council’s policy brief “Cooperation in Science and Education to Promote an Innovative Approach to Russia–China Relations” as early as May 2016. This document suggests that joint universities and research centers established by China and Russia have contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and trust among the Eurasian countries. Also, it asserts that stable connections between the two countries’ education institutions have facilitated research and educational integration in Eurasia. What’s more, high mobility of scientists and students between the countries has contributed enormously to strengthening mutual understanding and trust, thus solidifying the basis for interstate relations.

Gubin highlighted how the Eurasian integration based on EEU and BRI collaboration can benefit the intellectual development of Eurasia. First, Russian, Chinese and other valuable Eurasian think-tanks are therefore able to communicate and elaborate on appropriate models and scenarios and find solutions for existing and probable issues, whether they are political, economic, social or cultural. Secondly, multilateral cooperation enables leading research institutes to facilitate leaders in policy making. Gubin advised that Russia, China and other Eurasian nations enhance academic cooperation in educational exchanges, the sharing of experience, and mutual training. Consequently, countries can compose an integrated intellectual space within Eurasia and foster understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Edited by Su Xuan