Structural Dynamics of the Russia–China Strategic Partnership: Asymmetry, Uncertainty and the Alliance Debate

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 26 Sayı: 1, 489 - 510, 28.03.2026

Arzu Çetinkaya

https://doi.org/10.18037/ausbd.1815523

https://izlik.org/JA37GK65PB

Öz

This study aims to examine the strategic partnership between Russia and China within the context of global power balances, debates on multipolarity, and relations with the West. The study employs a qualitative document analysis method, systematically analyzing strategic documents, academic studies, and official policy texts produced by the United States, NATO, China, and Russia. The findings demonstrate that Russia–China relations are characterized not by an ideological alliance but by a pragmatic, interest-based partnership. While both actors seek to avoid direct confrontation with the United States, they pursue policies aimed at preserving strategic autonomy and maintaining room for maneuver. Sino–Russian cooperation has deepened through diplomatic coordination, economic interaction, and joint activities in the security domain. Nevertheless, structural asymmetries and elements of mutual caution remain salient features of the relationship. The article moves beyond normative assumptions of alliance formation by reassessing Russia–China relations through the concepts of “strategic ambiguity” and “limited coordination,” and offers an analytical framework explaining why major powers frequently prefer conditional and asymmetric forms of cooperation over fully institutionalized alliances.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Russia , China , global security , strategic partnership , multipolarity

Rusya–Çin Stratejik Ortaklığının Yapısal Dinamikleri: Asimetri, Belirsizlik ve İttifak Tartışması

https://izlik.org/JA37GK65PB

Öz

Bu çalışma, Rusya ile Çin arasındaki stratejik ortaklığı küresel güç dengeleri, çok kutupluluk tartışmaları ve Batı ile ilişkiler çerçevesinde incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada nitel doküman analizi yöntemi kullanılmış; ABD, NATO, Çin ve Rusya’ya ait stratejik belgeler, akademik çalışmalar ve resmî politika metinleri sistematik biçimde analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, Rusya–Çin ilişkilerinin ideolojik bir ittifaktan ziyade pragmatik çıkar temelli bir ortaklık karakteri taşıdığını ortaya koymaktadır. Her iki aktör ABD ile doğrudan bir çatışmadan kaçınırken stratejik özerkliklerini ve manevra alanlarını korumaya yönelik politikalar izlemektedir. Rusya-Çin iş birliği, diplomatik koordinasyon, ekonomik etkileşim ve güvenlik alanındaki ortak faaliyetlerle derinleşmektedir. Bununla birlikte ilişkide yapısal asimetri ve karşılıklı temkin unsurları dikkat çekmektedir. Makale, Rusya–Çin ilişkilerini normatif ittifak varsayımlarının ötesine taşıyarak, “stratejik belirsizlik” ve “sınırlı eşgüdüm” kavramları üzerinden yeniden değerlendirmekte; büyük güçlerin neden sıklıkla kurumsallaşmış ittifaklar yerine koşullu ve asimetrik iş birliği biçimlerini tercih ettiğini açıklayan analitik bir çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Rusya , Çin , küresel güvenlik , stratejik ortaklık , çok kutupluluk

Kaynakça

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