About the event:
The strategic alignment between Russia and China has turned into something akin to an alliance but not being one, while macro-regional forms of alliance building intensified, notably in the format of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS organization. The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) sought initially to create a platform towards a prospective collaboration with the EU. However, it turned to be a platform for a closer relations with Chinese One Belt One Road initiative. Russia’s move towards closer partnership with China and expanding regional institutions (SCO and SCTO) is the most pragmatic and beneficial – albeit not without risks – strategic, long term choice. For China it secures natural resources, border stability and regional influence in China’s “strategic rear”.