Sino-Russian Military Integration since the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Since the end of the Cold War, the Sino-Russian alignment has gradually evolved from good neighbourly relations to an increasingly close strategic partnership, based primarily on their shared perception of US hegemony as a threat. While Russia initially sought connections with the West following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it increasingly turned eastward as its influence was constrained. China, in turn, began to view Russia as a potential strategic partner, particularly in the context of (global) great power competition. This article analyses military cooperation between China and Russia in three periods since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, as it represents an important indicator of Sino-Russian relations. In doing this, we aim to assess whether this cooperation is moving towards the establishment of a long-term strategic alliance based on the strategic interests of the two states, or whether it is merely short-term pragmatic cooperation driven by the pursuit of immediate benefits.