Developments over the last few months show that Chinese-Russian strategic co-operation is proceeding full steam ahead.

China and Russia's presidents signed the China-Russia Joint Statement on 21st century world order in July. The 10th regular meeting between the two nations' premiers took place earlier in November. Word came recently that the two neighbours are working on a space co-operation plan and that the Russian premier will personally oversee the Far East oil pipeline construction, with China as the beneficiary.

Despite all this, however, there is still much to be desired in terms of Sino-Russian strategic co-operation.

The forging of the strategic partnership relations between the two countries is not the outcome of the whimsical impulses on the part of the leadership, but rather is based on the extensive and long-term strategic interests of the two countries.

The two countries share similar strategic goals bringing about a multi-polar international structure in which the two expect to be important strategic players.

In addition, the two countries share a common language in almost every important international issue opposing unilateralism, upholding the authority of the United Nations, resisting power politics, opposing interference in others' internal affairs and disapproving double standards on the anti-terror issue.

Both being permanent members of the United Nations' Security Council, China and Russia shoulder similar historical responsibilities restoring global strategic balance, maintaining peace and stability and guaranteeing regional security.

Moreover, the two countries are each other's biggest neighbours. It is therefore advisable that the two countries be good neighbours, good friends and good partners. This will help the two countries promote their comprehensive national strength.

In creating peaceful exterior environs and bringing about new world economic and political orders marked by justice and reason, which are both favourable for the development and prosperity of China and Russia, the two countries are very likely to run into resistance from vested interests of the old order. This also requires the two countries to unite in handling issues in this respect.

Finally, the Chinese and Russian economies are strongly complementary.

Russia abounds in natural resources and China in human resources. Armament, space and aviation industries are fairly developed in Russia while China boasts advanced light, electronic and telecommunications industries. Tapping these resources together will facilitate China's undertakings of reviving the old industrial bases in the country's northeast, which is close to Far East Russia and Russia's bid to boost the economy in its Far East and Siberia areas.

All this dictates that the two countries forge close strategic co-operative ties.

Some stumbling blocks, however, exist.

First and foremost, political mutual trust needs to be further deepened.

This finds expression chiefly in the fear of "China threat" of some Russians and in the belief that "Russia is unreliable" harboured by some Chinese.

The "China threat" theory has been subscribed to by many Russians over the years. The "threat" finds expression in the theories of "China's territorial claims," "expansion of Chinese population," "threat posed by the Chinese economy" and "the disequilibrium between Chinese and Russian strength."

All this has been fanned by Russian media over the years, which exercises a great influence on Russian citizens in terms of their attitudes towards China and, in turn, helps erode Sino-Russian relations.

It is advisable, therefore, that the Russian Government and the social elite do something to help dissipate the misgivings and fear and, in turn, help promote the ties between the two countries.

The Chinese people should also be aware that unjust treatment to some Chinese citizens in Russia and Russia's wavering on the issue of Siberia oil pipeline construction should not lead to the conclusion that "Russia is unreliable."

With regard to economic co-operation, some issues are worthy of attention:

Good political ties cannot be sustained when economic ties remain lukewarm. The annual trade volume between the two colossal neighbours stands merely at US$20 billion, which is disproportionate to the two trade partners' huge potential. Economic co-operation can get on the fast track only after the principle of mutual benefit is implemented.

In the field of diplomacy, some phenomena arising from lack of co-ordination deserve great attention.

National interests of the two countries are naturally not completely identical. And it is quite normal that their foreign policies and ways of doing things differ accordingly.

Strengthening of communications and avoiding mutual suspicions are, therefore, called for.

In terms of relations with the United States, for example, both countries need to stabilize their relationship with America and put US ties at the top their diplomatic agenda. But this does not necessarily mean that Sino-Russian relations should be subordinate. In other words, improvement of the ties with the United States should not be at the expense of Sino-Russian relations.

The"non-allied" issue is also of great importance. China and Russia not becoming allies is in the strategic interest of the two countries.

Refraining from being allied to any country has become a trend in the post-Cold-War era. Once China and Russia become allies, the United States would be greatly provoked, which would likely lead to the worsening of the international and regional environment, the bettering of which is vitally important to the development of both China and Russia.

In view of this, starting from the basis of strategic co-operative partnership, the two countries can also reach higher levels of co-operation.

(China Daily November 25, 2005)