Russia-China Strategic Cooperation within the SCO

Bisma Hameed

At the last Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the strength and stability of their nations’ cooperation. This encounter, the second in two months, highlighted Russia and China’s growing strategic cooperation, which both presidents view as a stabilising influence in the uncertain global scene.

Putin and Xi have always stated that their partnership is not intended to create any military or political blocs but rather to promote a multipolar international order that respects individual states’ sovereignty and growth patterns. This approach is especially crucial as both nations face growing pressure and criticism from Western powers over Russia’s conduct in Ukraine and China’s policies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The SCO, which includes Central Asian countries, India, Iran, and soon Belarus, is seen by both leaders as a counterbalance to Western influence. Putin emphasised the SCO’s importance as a foundation of a fair multipolar world, while Xi cited the volatile geopolitical environment as a cause to expand China-Russia cooperation. Their engagement within the SCO strives to promote regional stability and cooperation with a particular emphasis on economic and security concerns.

The Russia-China collaboration, frequently touted by both presidents as a “no limits” friendship, has resulted in enormous economic associations with China becoming Russia’s largest trading partner. Last year, trade between the two nations totaled almost $190 billion, with Chinese purchases of Russian oil accounting for the majority of it. This economic reliance is the foundation of their partnership, offering reciprocal advantages and a bulwark against Western sanctions.

Despite its secure relations, the SCO has underlying tensions and competing agendas. Central Asia is a resource-rich and strategically vital region in which both Russia and China strive to exert influence. While the SCO serves as a venue for collaboration, it also reflects the geopolitical manoeuvring of these two giants as they negotiate their conflicting regional aspirations.

The latest summit also showed the SCO’s rising membership and significance. With new members such as Belarus stepping in, the organisation is establishing itself as a major participant in global geopolitics, providing an alternative to Western-dominated international organisations.

The meeting between Putin and Xi at the SCO summit underlines Russia-China’s strategic cooperation, which they promote as a force for world stability despite Western resistance. Their cooperation within the SCO shows their common vision of a multipolar world and demonstrates their commitment to mutual economic and political support.The historical relationship between China and Russia has been marked by a complicated mix of collaboration and conflict.

Their initial interactions in the 17th century were indirect, via nomadic clans in Siberia, and disputes over Russian expansion in Manchuria, culminating in the Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689), which established their first recognised boundary. among the nineteenth century, tensions emerged as the Russian Empire seized sections of Manchuria through unequal treaties, generating animosity in China.

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, an initial alliance emerged, which was strengthened by the Sino-Soviet Treaty (1950) and supported by Soviet military and technological cooperation. However, the relationship deteriorated in the 1950s because to ideological differences between Mao Zedong and Nikita Khrushchev, resulting in border confrontations and a near-war in 1969. China then wanted stronger relations with the United States to offset Soviet influence.

Since the Cold War ended in 1991, China and Russia’s ties have progressively improved, expanding economic cooperation and forging a “strategic partnership” that includes military drills and energy accords.
While their existing connections are largely strong, there are some potential stumbling blocks, such as China’s expanding military power. Faced with greater pressure from the West, their collaboration is likely to strengthen further. The Russia-China cooperation, notably through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), is projected to strengthen their influence in Eurasia, potentially undermining the US and NATO presence in Central Asia.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) might benefit from Russian assistance in improving connectivity and infrastructure projects across Eurasia and providing easier access to European markets, therefore strengthening regional trade and economic integration.Russia and China, as significant energy suppliers and consumers could establish strong energy trade agreements that would stabilise regional supplies and prices while also investing in energy infrastructure. Increased collaboration in technology and innovation may result in shared advances in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space exploration, posing a challenge to Western IT corporations.

Stronger economic links are projected to increase bilateral trade and investment, resulting in a durable economic bloc that can withstand external pressures like as Western sanctions. Russia and China’s military cooperation may be enhanced through joint drills, information sharing, and defence technology development, boosting their capabilities in strategic confrontation with NATO and other Western allies.Their collaboration may also influence global norms talks, emphasising sovereignty and non-interference above liberal democratic principles.

The writer is a student of Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad.