On June 13, Huang Jing, a China Forum expert and professor at Shanghai International Studies University, attended a dialogue at the Robert Bosch Academy entitled “More Than Partners? The Future of Chinese-Russian Relationship.”

The relationship between China and Russia is not an alliance, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict has put the former in a dilemma, Professor Huang stressed, adding that China has taken a prudent approach to this crisis and is committed to “not overplaying its hand.” One of the reasons for the conflict is that Russia, after the Cold War, has long been subject to excessive pressure from the US and NATO, who should now seek a more pragmatic, peaceful, and negotiation-based solution to this crisis, rather than trying to break Russia in one fell swoop.

This conflict has strengthened Russia’s role and influence in Central Asia, Professor Huang noted. The non-recognition or silence of countries in the region over the independence of the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine is driven by their own interests rather than their opposition to Russia in this conflict.

Moderated by Pradnya Bivalkar, senior project manager at the Robert Bosch Academy, the dialogue also featured Ekaterina Schulmann, associate professor at the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences.

Founded in 2014 as an institution of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the Robert Bosch Academy offers international decision-makers, opinion leaders, and experts the opportunity for confidential exchanges and solution-oriented cooperation on issues of global relevance.