Sino-Russian relations and trade

Russo-Chinese University to Enroll First Students in 2015 - Moscow State University Head

A Russo-Chinese university, to be formed on the basis of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) in Shenzhen, will accept its first 5,000 students in 2015, Viktor Sadovnichy, the head of MSU told journalists Wednesday.

"We did not want to wait long and wanted to gather a group, calling it a pre-entry group, in order to find the people that would be ready to study Russian at the pre-university department. I think next year will be dedicated to preparatory courses," Sadovnichy said.

"And the full enrollment – up to 5,000 students – we wanted to realize in 2015," Sadovnichy said.

The initiative to create a joint Russo-Chinese University has been developing since the second half of 2013. Then, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China in May, the education ministries of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on creating a joint university. Russia has proposed signing an intergovernmental agreement on the university's activity in October.

China has taken on the responsibility of building a 200,000-square-meter student campus in Shenzhen in 10 months. In Russia, the construction would typically take 30 months, Sadovnichy said.

The university is to provide courses in Russian, Chinese and English, and graduates are to receive dual diplomas – one from MSU and one from the joint Russo-Chinese university.

Russian Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin praised the project as yet another positive outcome of the strong ties between Moscow and Beijing.

"This project comes at a time when, by the evaluation of the leaders of both states, we see that relations between China and Russia – political, economic relations – are the best in our common history, in the course of collaboration," Naryshkin said.

The two nations signed 48 agreements and contracts during Putin's latest visit to China in May. On Tuesday, during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Brazil, Putin said he had no doubts about the success of Russian-Chinese cooperation.

China, Russia and Belarus airforce games Aviadarts-2014 - Russian counterpart to Redflag   

speaking about the new lvl of friendship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3GeUTA2hw

Not friendship- two governing bodies who find it mutually beneficial to cooperate, and one leach .

Russian, Chinese Companies Sign Memorandum to Build Floating Nuclear Plants

MOSCOW, July 29 (RIA Novosti) - Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said in a statement Tuesday it had signed a memorandum on a project to build floating nuclear power plants with China’s CNNC New Energy.

“Floating power plants have a significant appliance potential. A floating NPP comes in two forms, a floating and a fixed one. A plant like this can be either plugged into the shore-based electrical grid or moored close to a power consumer,” Rusatom CEO Dzhomart Aliev said in the statement.

The memorandum was signed by Dzhomart Aliev and CNNC New Energy President Tianlin Qian. The companies are now going to set up a Russian-Chinese working group will to continue their work on the project, according to the official announcement.

The chief of Rusatom Overseas stressed that floating power plants offered an efficient solution to many energy problems in hard-to-reach places, including beyond the Arctic Circle, as well as to all sorts of offshore facilities, such as offshore oil rigs.

This comes after Russian and Chinese officials signed a major memorandum of understanding in March 2014 that laid groundwork for future energy cooperation between the two neighbor nations.

Rosatom’s CEO Sergei Kiriyenko told journalists earlier this year his company viewed the Asia-Pacific market as a priority for the Russian nuclear industry. Russia has started collaborating with the world’s IT giant IBM to improve software and technology at new nuclear plants, and continued looking towards Asia for more joint projects.

China advocates further development of strategic cooperation with Russia

BEIJING, July 31. /ITAR-TASS/. China stands for further development of comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership with Russia, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

He made the statement during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The two top diplomats unanimously agreed to “maintain close strategic contacts and coordinate activities” of the two countries.

As active members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia should maintain close contact on such international and regional issues as Afghanistan, the Korean nuclear problem, the Iranian nuclear program, and Ukraine in order to facilitate their resolution, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Wang and Lavrov also noted the need to step up cooperation within the SCO and take further steps to advance the common interests of its member states.

The ministers said bilateral meetings and high-level visits in the second half of the year would help to promote political, trade, economic, energy and humanitarian cooperation between China and Russia.

Due to U.S. trade sanctions imposed on Russia, Russia plan to purchase  electronic components from China.

"Russian rocket and space and defense enterprises plan to buy batches of electronic components from China worth some $1 billion in the next calendar year, the newspaper Izvestia reported on Wednesday. "We are working with the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation [CASIC]. The institutions comprising it have already provided us with several dozens of items that are either a direct alternative, or have slight alterations, of those elements that we cannot buy due to the sanctions imposed by the U.S.," a source close to Roscosmos told Izvestia. The technical documentation is now being translated and the products are being tested to determine if they meet the stated characteristics in terms of susceptibility to temperatures, vibration and impact of heavy charged particles, the source said.  Russia plans to buy several billion dollars worth of such products from China in the next 2-2.5 years, until the Russia industry begins manufacturing electronic components of the necessary nominals in the space (radiation-resistant components) and military (for use in military systems) categories."

Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/news/2014/08/06/chinese_microelectronics_will_replace_us_microelectronics_in_russian_spa_38790.html)

Increase of hostility between the West and Russia is pushing Russia closer to China... and that is bad news for China's neighbors, especially Vietnam.

Although I believe that Russia will never trust China. Russia learned a lot about China through the 1969 conflict and the Su-27 copyright affairs.

GarryB wrote:I don't think improved relations between China and Russia should result in worsening relations between Russia and Vietnam... nor do I think things should be worse between India and Russia.

In fact I would love to see relations between all the countries in the region improved... including Pakistan and Iran and Indonesia etc etc.

Create economic ties first and also political ties and settle differences with words rather than military force.

Relationship between Russia and Vietnam will not be worsened. But considering what China have been doing recently in South East Asia, it is natural that China's neighbors want this country to be isolated as much as possible. Especially Vietnam, the one who is most threatened and also who was suffered the most from China's invasions in the past.

Nonetheless what I believe is the Russia-China relationship is situational cooperation at most. Russia and China need each others to compete against the West, but Russia never trusts China.

GarryB wrote:Do you think isolating china and making her an enemy.... possibly pushing her back to better relations with the west will improve the situation regarding disputed territories or make them worse?

I think a very good relationship between Vietnam and China is better for both countries... more trade and discussions should lead to prosperity for both sides and actually make the ownership of these disputed islands less important.

"Isolating China" is more like the emotional thinking of the local people rather than the goverment's policy. Since the 11th century the policy of Vietnamese goverment for China issue is basically "Finlandization". Untill now, even when the disputed islands become hot, information about China are still carefully monitored in order not to push things too far.

The problem here is that local Vietnamese people are very doubtful about China's intention. They understand the benefit of good relationship with China, but they don't believe China for many reasons. Not only the disputed islands, but also about devastating China invasion in the past, agressive stance of contemporary China, and economic scandals related to China, for example the waves of low-quality China goods, the terrible working attitude of Chinese contractors, or the crimes of Chinese swindles against Vietnamese farmers.

So for several reasons the warm relationship between China and anyother global powers somehow make many Vietnameses feel uneasy... especially when Russia is the main weapon supplier for Vietnam.

China-Vietnam is a bit similar to Russia-Ukraina now. The difference is that Vietnameses understand that your opinion is right. They also hate the far-right racist factions like Svoboda or Pravyy Sektor.

Russia counts on China investment amid sanctions

MOSCOW, August 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Relations with China get move ot the forefront against the backdrop of Western sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine, the president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Monday.

“A change in the vector of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the West looks quite natural in the existing international situation,” Sergei Katyrin said.

This is not a new process, but the crisis in Ukraine has given a boost to Russia’s relations with countries in the Asia Pacific and the BRICS group of nations, he said.

More than 60 Russian entrepreneurs participated in the recent business forum of BRICS group of five major emerging national economies, Katyrin added. “The BRICS Development Bank and the pool of currency reserves may become a valuable alternative for Russia in conditions of possible new sanctions in the financial sector,” the chamber’s president said.

“Trade and economic relations have become more intensive with Latin America, countries of North Africa, but China remains our main trade and economic partner,” he added. “The development and diversification of trade becomes a priority task for our foreign economic agencies and business,” Katyrin added.

He said the chamber is “actively advancing investment projects and supporting Russian exporters to China,” noting an increase of Chinese direct investment in the Russian economy over the recent years.

According to the Russian Ministry for Economic Development, last year it stood at $253 million. The total amount of cumulative direct investment has reached $1.7 billion, Katyrin said, adding that Russia’s direct investment in China was more modest, just $36 million last year.

The most lucrative sectors for Chinese investment are spheres of energy saving, telecommunications, construction, resource development and agriculture.

A sub-commission for trade and economic cooperation of the Russian-Chinese commission paving the way for regular prime ministerial meetings will meet in Moscow on September 2. The session will be chaired by the two co-chairmen - Russia’s Minister for Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev and Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng.

Putin breaks ground on Russia-China gas pipeline, world's biggest

I have to admit that this article is quite Euro-centric, although the newspapers in Vietnam usually express support for Russia's policy.

Probably it is due to Hanoi's skepticism towards Beijing.

http://soha.vn/quoc-te/xuat-khau-nang-luong-nga-danh-dua-chuoi-dao-vao-tay-tq-20140905233936699.htm (Vietnamese)

English Translation wrote:
Energy export: Russia holds the blade, China hold the tilt

Facing the West's sanction, Russia needs a new contractor in energy. However, in the contracts with China, Russia is in a weaker position. Russia holds the blade while China holds the tilt.

China is a good contractor for a Russia who is dealing with the West's embargo. The between the two countries is closer and closer together with the increase intensity of Ukrainian conflicts.

However, some analysits claimed that the relationship with China is risky for Moskva.

On the one hand, Russia and China have similar and compatible aims. Beijing needs oil and gas to satisfy its dramatically increasing needs. Moskva has been find a way to establish a commercial trade in Asian-Pacific, a region with a more dynamic economy that EU. Moody claimed that Russia-China contracts increased the diversity of Gazprom's market in the Asian-Pacific, in the circumstance that Gazprom's business is affected by EU's pressure.

On the other hand, Moody also warned that Russia's change of direction is also risky. After all, China is able to impose pressure on Russia about the price and investment, all can negatively affect Russia's profit in oil industry. The price of Russia-China natural gas contract is confidential, but according to the leaked information, it is lower than Gazprom expected. Gazprom also suffered from millions of USD investment in facilities.

The oil business inflicted more disadvantage for Russia, due to a contract signed by Rosneft in 2013. Analysists from Eurasia Group commented that Russia's strength in the negiotation is declined due to the West's embargo. The company needed more fund. In that circumstance, China appeared as a good financial source for Russia in the case the Western market is reduced due to the embargo.

Vedomosti commented: Beijing only considers Moskva as an additional supplier, while Moskva sees Beijing as a strategic cooperator. Therefore, in this relationship, Russia is in a weaker position. Vedomosti warned an overenthuastic concentration in China may harm Russia's policy and harm other Asian countries.

higurashihougi wrote:I have to admit that this article is quite Euro-centric, although the newspapers in Vietnam usually express support for Russia's policy.

Probably it is due to Hanoi's skepticism towards Beijing.

http://soha.vn/quoc-te/xuat-khau-nang-luong-nga-danh-dua-chuoi-dao-vao-tay-tq-20140905233936699.htm (Vietnamese)

English Translation wrote:
Energy export: Russia holds the blade, China hold the tilt

Facing the West's sanction, Russia needs a new contractor in energy. However, in the contracts with China, Russia is in a weaker position. Russia holds the blade while China holds the tilt.

China is a good contractor for a Russia who is dealing with the West's embargo. The between the two countries is closer and closer together with the increase intensity of Ukrainian conflicts.

However, some analysits claimed that the relationship with China is risky for Moskva.

On the one hand, Russia and China have similar and compatible aims. Beijing needs oil and gas to satisfy its dramatically increasing needs. Moskva has been find a way to establish a commercial trade in Asian-Pacific, a region with a more dynamic economy that EU. Moody claimed that Russia-China contracts increased the diversity of Gazprom's market in the Asian-Pacific, in the circumstance that Gazprom's business is affected by EU's pressure.

On the other hand, Moody also warned that Russia's change of direction is also risky. After all, China is able to impose pressure on Russia about the price and investment, all can negatively affect Russia's profit in oil industry. The price of Russia-China natural gas contract is confidential, but according to the leaked information, it is lower than Gazprom expected. Gazprom also suffered from millions of USD investment in facilities.

The oil business inflicted more disadvantage for Russia, due to a contract signed by Rosneft in 2013. Analysists from Eurasia Group commented that Russia's strength in the negiotation is declined due to the West's embargo. The company needed more fund. In that circumstance, China appeared as a good financial source for Russia in the case the Western market is reduced due to the embargo.

Vedomosti commented: Beijing only considers Moskva as an additional supplier, while Moskva sees Beijing as a strategic cooperator. Therefore, in this relationship, Russia is in a weaker position. Vedomosti warned an overenthuastic concentration in China may harm Russia's policy and harm other Asian countries.

WTF??
Are you sure this is a Vietnamese article, not a western article translated Vietnamese.

AlfaT8 wrote:
WTF??
Are you sure this is a Vietnamese article, not a western article translated Vietnamese.

It is a Vietnamese article, although I have to admit that journalists in my country are not as good as in Russia or in the West.

Second, Sinophobia is quite popular amongst Vietnamese population. But the same Vietnameses love Russia a lot.

I consider it as a dilemna.

higurashihougi wrote:
It is a Vietnamese article, although I have to admit that journalists in my country are not as good as in Russia or in the West.

Nah, the quality is good, it's the contents that need to be worked out.

Second, Sinophobia is quite popular amongst Vietnamese population. But the same Vietnameses love Russia a lot.

I consider it as a dilemna.

Understandable, Russia backed Vietnam all the way back in the war and China not only decided pull out half way, but also went to war with them shortly after, and that's not even taking into account of there long running historical differences.

China, Russia reported to build huge seaport in North Asia

China and Russia are to build one of the largest ports in northeast Asia on Russia's Sea of Japan coast, Chinese media reports. It is the latest step by Beijing and Moscow to bring their economies closer, and diversify from Western influence.

The new seaport will be located in Russia’s Far East, just 18 kilometers away from the Chinese border and will be capable to handle up to 60 million tons of cargo a year, China's state-run People's Daily Online reported.

The deal between the two countries was signed at May's Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Shanghai, the report said.

Chinese booming domestic consumption makes the country search for ways to diversify its sources of energy. Russia, in turn, is seeking to refocus its trade towards Asia from western markets amid the tit-for-tat sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

In August the two countries agreed to set up a special logistics center which will allow to sell fruit and vegetables directly to Russia, which is expected to offset any negative effect of the Russian food embargo.

READ MORE: Russia bans agricultural products from EU, USA, Australia, Norway, Canada

On September 1 Russian President Vladimir Putin Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli have launched the construction of the first part of Gazprom’s 'Power of Siberia' pipeline.

The construction follows a historic gas deal signed in May which will provide the world's fastest growing economy with 4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas it needs to keep pace for the next 30 years.
In the search for financial independence

Since the US introduced its first sanctions in March, Russia has sped up efforts to get away from the Western financial system. In the latest move, Russia confirmed on Wednesday it is planning to join forces with China and create an alternative to the international banking transaction system SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications).

“Yes, we have discussed and we have approved this idea,” Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov told PRIME on Wednesday after negotiations in Beijing.

On top of that, Russia and China are actively discussing the creation of an independent rating agency, Shuvalov said, adding that concrete proposals will be made by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, China’s UnionPay payment system, a version of Visa and MasterCard, is ready to provide the infrastructure for Russia to establish its own payment system.

TASS: Russia-China economic cooperation to top agenda for Putin-Xi talks

Yuan settlements with Russia could boost Chinese currency's regional role - Kremlin

Russia, China Sign Memorandum on Natural Gas Delivery via Western Route

BEIJING, November 9 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and China have signed 17 documents Sunday, including the memorandum on the delivery of Russian natural gas to China via the so-called "western route".

The memorandum on the delivery of Russian natural gas to China via the western route, the framework agreement on gas supplies between Russia's Gazprom and China's CNPC and the memorandum of understanding between the Russian energy giant and the Chinese state-owned oil and gas corporation were among the documents signed Sunday in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

According to the Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, the documents signed by Russia and China on Sunday define the western route as a priority project for the gas cooperation between the two countries.

"First of all these documents stipulate that the "western route" is becoming a priority project for our gas cooperation," Miller said, adding that the documents provide for the export of 30 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to China annually for a 30-year period.

Miller noted that with the increase of deliveries via the western route, the volumes of Russian gas supplies to China may exceed the current levels of export to Europe in the medium-term perspective.

The western route will connect fields in western Siberia with northwest China through the Altai Republic. Second and third sections may be added to the pipeline at a later date, bringing its capacity up to 100 billion cubic meters a year.

Russian-Chinese Military Cooperation Gains Importance: Defense Minister

BEIJING, November 19 (Sputnik) – Military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and China are becoming increasingly important as the international situation is becoming more complex, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, the situation in this [Asia-Pacific] region, in North Africa and elsewhere in the world generally becomes more and more difficult each year. In this context, the military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and China gains special nature and significance," Shoigu said during the meeting with Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Shoigu praised the current level and prospects of military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

"We will have an opportunity to discuss the military-technical cooperation in details later today. Much of what we discussed during [Xu's] visit to Moscow last year is already underway," Russian Defense Minister added.

"The level of our partnership indicates that there are no problems that we cannot fix. Our work will be aimed at implementing joint military-technical projects," Shoigu noted.

He thanked Xu for the warm welcome and the excellent preparation of the upcoming 19th meeting of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation, due to be held in Beijing later in the day.

Xu Qiliang in turn said that "strategic partnership between China and Russia has entered a new stage of development" and "plays a significant role in maintaining regional and international stability."

Russian Defense Minister is on a working visit in China on November 17-19.

In recent years, Russia and China have enjoyed close military cooperation. Russia has supplied China with weapons and hardware, including jets and air defense systems, while the two countries' armies have taken part in a number of joint exercises.