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World history illustrates that the rise of new powers has always generated tension and challenges of adjustment within the existing power structure. In the case of the Sino-Russian bilateral relationship, these challenges are further complicated by Moscow’s own struggle to adjust itself to the fact that Russia’s international hierarchy of prestige and influence collapsed

along with the fall of the socialist world order it created and was leading. Concurrently, Moscow is increasingly seen today as becoming China’s “little brother”.

Although Moscow and Beijing stress that their relationship has never been in better shape and clearly constitutes the most important strategic relationship for both countries, the challenges of adjusting to the changing power constellation are constantly mounting.