Sino-Russian Military Relations: Implications for U.S. National Interests in East Asia.

Sino-Russian relations are complex, delicate, businesslike, and multifaceted. This complexity provides stability as the relationship institutionalizes. On the other hand, there is a basic asymmetry in Sino-Russian relations. Chinese follow fixed principles with minor domestic disagreement in their Russia policy while Russians pursue ad hoc, contradictory policies often interrupted by domestic disputes with a gap between their stated China policy and the actual Russian policy implementation. Although Russia is the militarily stronger partner, China is the more cohesive partner. The asymmetric nature of the bilateral relationship impacts East Asian stability as Beijing?s strategies often drive the direction of mil-mil exchanges. This has consequences for U.S. strategic interests in East Asia. Sodruzhestvo-2005 (the first joint military exercise between Chinese and Russian militaries planned for summer 2005) was initiated by Beijing which originally hoped to give the exercise a Taiwan focus. In the end it was slated to take place in China?s Northeast with a Korean focus.This paper assesses the nature of Sino-Russian relations and their impact on East Asia, contrasting this with the bilateral relationship?s impact on Central Asia. Both regions involve U.S. interests. Rather than a narrow focus on the Sino-Russian arms trade and military exercises, analysis of the strategic relationship must be placed in a broader context of the bilateral partnership. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]