The Particularities of Russian-Chinese Economic Cooperation at the Present Stage: Scientists and Society’s Opinions

Introduction. In the context of the transformation of the international relations system and the world's movement towards a multipolar structure, Russian-Chinese relations have received a new impetus for development. The confrontation with the Western countries has opened a window of opportunity for deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. Despite the growth in trade turnover recorded in 2023, there remain areas of partnership with significant potential. At the same time, one of the main problems facing Russian-Chinese cooperation at the present stage is the shortage of competent personnel and the low level of knowledge of Russians and Chinese about each other.

The article presents the results of sociological surveys conducted among Chinese students and specialists, which revealed their attitude towards cooperation with Russia. The surveys showed that young Chinese are interested in the development of Russian-Chinese relations, especially in the field of infrastructure projects. The study, conducted by MGIMO with the support of the CITIC Foundation, Beijing Normal University and China’s University of International Relations, identified the most promising areas for cooperation between the two countries.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the current state and prospects of bilateral economic cooperation in some areas based on the results of sociological surveys of Chinese citizens of various age groups. 

Materials and methods. In the course of the work, such methods of scientific knowledge as analysis, synthesis, generalization, analogy, induction, deduction, forecasting were used; sociological surveys were conducted. Foreign and Russian scientific articles, statistical data, and media publications devoted to various aspects of the development of bilateral projects between Russia and China were used as research materials.

Research results. The analysis of the data obtained revealed that the majority of respondents consider infrastructure sectors to be the most promising for cooperation between the two countries, and public-private partnership (PPP) is perceived as an effective mechanism for implementing Russian-Chinese infrastructure projects.

Discussion and conclusion. The study showed that in the face of Western pressure on Russia and China, the two countries should deepen economic cooperation. The transformation of the world order and the growing influence of developing countries create favorable conditions for increasing cooperation. Chinese youth are interested in joint projects in the fields of infrastructure, transport, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, science, and tourism. The key role in the success of such cooperation is played by the training of qualified personnel. It is necessary to develop not only trade and economic ties, but also cultural, social, scientific and educational relations.

1. Borokh O.N., Lomanov A.V., 2024. Proizvoditel'nye sily i kitajskie otnoshenija [Productive forces and Chinese relations]. Rossija v global'noj politike [Russia in global politics]. Volume 22. No. 5. Р. 120-141. URL: https://globalaffairs.ru.

2. Golikova: poryadka 48 tys. kitayskikh studentov obuchayutsya v rossiyskikh vuzov [Golikova: About 48,000 Chinese students study at Russian universities]. 2024. TASS. URL: https://tass.ru.

3. Zuenko I., 2024. Perspektivy jeksporta produkcii rastenievodstva Rossii v Kitaj i prodovol'stvennaja bezopasnost' KNR [Prospects for Russian crop exports to China and PRC food security]. Mirovaja jekonomika i mezhdunarodnye otnoshenija [World Economy and International Relations]. Volume 68. No. 3. Р. 115-127. DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-3-115127.

4. Kortunov A.V., 2024. Nastalo vremja iskat' novye «proryvnye» napravlenija rossijsko-kitajskogo jekonomicheskogo sotrudnichestva [It is time to look for new ‘breakthrough’ areas of Russia-China economic cooperation]. RSMD [Russian Council on Foreign Affairs]. URL: https://russiancouncil.ru.

5. Intergovernmental Commission v cifrah [Intergovernmental Commission in figures]. Rossijskij sajt mezhpravitel'stvennoj komissii [Russian website of the Intergovernmental Commission]. URL: https://mpk-cn.ru.

6. Si Czin'pin, 2020. O nekotoryh vazhnyh voprosah srednei dolgosrochnoj strategii jekonomicheskogo i social'nogo razvitija gosudarstva [On some important issues of the mediumand long-term strategy of economic and social development of the state]. Cjushi. No. 21. URL: http://www.qstheory.cn.

7. «Srabotat' na operezhenie»: kak Rossii razvivat' sotrudnichestvo s Kitaem [“Get ahead of the curve”: how Russia can develop cooperation with China]. Proektno-uchebnaja laboratorija jekonomicheskoj zhurnalistiki [Economic Journalism Project and Training Laboratory]. 2023. URL: https://economics.hse.ru.

8. China's Total Export & Import Values by Country/Region, December 2023. General Administration of Customs Peoples Republic China. URL: http://english.customs.gov.cn.

9. Han Lu. 2024. Xin shidai zhong'e guanxi zhanxian gengjia guangkuo de fazhan qianjing [China-Russia relations in the new era show broader prospects for development]. Xi Jinping waijiao sixiang he xin shidai zhongguo waijiao [Xi Jinping's Diplomatic Thought and Chinese Diplomacy in the New Era]. URL: http://cn.chinadiplomacy.org.cn.

10. Yu You, Gao Fei, 2021. Goujian xin xing da guo guanxi: Zhong'e huoban guanxi waijiao de jingyan yu qishi [Constructing a New Type of Great Power Relationship: The Experience and Inspiration of Sino-Russian Partnership Diplomacy]. Tai ping yang xue bao [Pacific Journal]. Volume 29. No. 1. Р. 51-61.

11. Liu Xuanzi, 2022. Zhong'e zai eluosi yuan dong diqu hezuo de xianzhuang, wenti ji duice [Current Situation, Problems and Countermeasures of Sino-Russian Cooperation in the Russian Far East]. Zhongguo-Elousi quanqiu hua beijing xia de duihua [China-Russia Dialogue in the Context of Globalisation]. Р. 112-114.

12. Geng Yuanyuan, 2024. Jiyu "Yi dai yi lu" de Zhong'e jingji guanxi [China-Russia Economic Relations Based on “Belt and Road”]. Shanxi caijing daxue xue bao [Journal of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics]. Volume 46. No. 1.