Dynamic structure of bilateral trade between Russia and China since the beginning of the 21st century
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.80.5.6
Abstract
The current international situation is volatile, and the global economic and trade landscape is being profoundly affected by geopolitical conflicts, climate change and emerging technological revolutions. However, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian integration are promoting a steady rise in the total volume of bilateral trade between Russia and China. Economic and trade interaction between the two countries is an important pillar of the China-Russia strategic partnership. But bilateral trade accounts for only a relatively low proportion of China’s foreign trade volume, and there are still problems, e.g. low added value of products. A number of indices are applied to analyze the extent of bilateral trade between China and Russia over the past two decades, as well as its competitiveness and complementarity. The results of calculations show that China has a strong competitive advantage in the export of labor-intensive goods, while a strong competitive advantage of Russia is the export of primary goods. The bilateral trade volume between China and Russia has shown vigorous growth, accounting for an increasing share of Russia’s total foreign trade, while its share of China’s total foreign trade has just slightly increased. Both sides still have high potential for further promoting of economic and trade cooperation.
Keywords
foreign trade,
competitiveness,
trade complementarity,
intra-industry trade,
comparative advantages,
trade integration
Supporting agencies: The theoretical section was prepared by V.A. Kolosov on the topic of the State Assignment of the Institute of Geology of the Russian Academy of Sciences No. 124032900015-3 (FMWS-2024-0008).
About the Authors
Zhen Yang
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Department of Geography of World Economy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Zhen Yang - Postgraduate student
V. A. Kolosov
Institute of Geography RAS, Laboratory of Geopolitical Research
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
V.A. Kolosov - Head of Laboratory, Prof., Dr. Sc. in Geography
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Review
For citations:
Yang Zh., Kolosov V.A. Dynamic structure of bilateral trade between Russia and China since the beginning of the 21st century. Lomonosov Geography Journal. 2025;(5):73-84. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.80.5.6
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