The third side of the strategic triangle
Cooperation between Russia and China has been building for several years. The bitter rivalry between Moscow and Beijing eased rapidly with the end of the Cold War, and by the China had become Russia's largest arms customer. By 1996, the leaders of the two countries were describing their relationship as a «strategic partnership». and it became routine for Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC) to issue joint statements criticizing US policy on such issues as NATO expansion, the US-led military intervention in the Balkans, and the development of ballistic-missile defenses.
That cooperation has deepened on several levels. Politically, it is symbolized by the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The SCO, whose membership consists of Russia, China, and four Central Asian countries, has as its primary focus combating Islamic extremism. But an important secondary motive — as various SCO statements and communiqués make clear — is to contain America's increasingly dominant position in Asia.
Russia and China clearly wish to avoid a confrontational relationship with the United States, if that is possible. Russia has been supporting most aspects of the US war against terrorism, responding mildly to US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, and even indicating that a second round of NATO expansion will not prove fatal to US-Russian relations. China, too, has sought to minimize frictions. Both Russia and China regard their economic links to the US-led West as vital.
The triangular relationship involving Russia, China and the United States is critically important. If the strategic triangle is managed properly, the danger of a great-power war in the coming decades will be virtually eliminated. If managed improperly, the 21st century could proceed down the same violent path as the 20th century. Much will depend on the wisdom of US policy.
Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
To wage a war; to eliminate; controversy; to be of critical (great) importance; to stand out; to deepen cooperation; NATO expansion; to denounce smth; to ease tensions; on charges of espionage; restraint; bring relations to the crisis point; withdrawal from; to preserve and expand economic relations; to expel; to contain; an ally; deterrent; rival; rapprochement; to take office; to play a crucial role; a long-term military presence; vital; to fuel tension; to combat extremism; decade.
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the sentences from the article with them.
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Долгосрочное военное присутствие; быть исключительно важным; прийти к власти; вести войну; по обвинению в шпионаже; союзник; ослабить напряженность; выделяться; поставить отношения на грань кризиса; обман; выход из договора; углубить сотрудничество; расширение НАТО; десятилетие; сближение; играть ключевую роль; выдворять из страны; сохранить и расширить экономические связи; осудить что-либо; сдерживать; средство устрашения; жизненно важный; уничтожить; разногласие; сдержанность; усилить напряженность; ослабить напряженность.
Read the article again and complete the following statement using the active vocabulary.
1. Three states ... as leading political powers...
2. Relations between Washington, Moscow and Beijing ...
3. The US bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war...
4. The increasingly important trade and investment relationship ...
5. Ties were strengthened further after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the United States came to regard China ...
6. China's leaders desperately needed ...
7. … also fueled tensions.
8. Russia made it clear to the governments of the Central Asian republics ...
9. By 1996, the leaders of Russia and China ...
10. Russia and China clearly wish to avoid...
Answer the questions on the article.
1. What role do Russia, the USA and China play in the international relations?
2. Why does the author call the relations between China and the US turbulent? What brought them to the point of crisis?
3. What has recently eased the tensions?
4. What made the US consider China as its ally?
5. Why are Chinese leaders interested in preserving and expanding economic relation with the US?
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6. How did the relationship between the US and Russia develop after Bush took office?
7. What issues fuel tensions between Moscow and Washington?
8. What created an opportunity for improving the US-Russian relations?
9. How did the American administration «reward» Russia for its cooperation?
10. What kind of relations does Russia need?
11. In what way have the Russian-Chinese relations been developing after the Cold War?
Questions for discussion.
1. Why do you think the relations between Moscow, Washington and Beijing are of crucial importance for the moment?
2. Do you think the states will continue to play this important role in international relations in the future? In what way could their roles change?
3. What are the prospects for Russian-US relations? How do you see the future relations of these two states?
4. Do you think Russia and China will be able to avoid conflicts in the future and preserve friendly relations?
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