“I think that regardless of the outcome of presidential elections in the US, next year will see a serious attempt from Clinton or Trump to come to some sort of agreement with China, to force China to change its politics,” said Rogov, who nevertheless remarked that he does not think the move will have the desired effect.
“It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that it would probably be the last such attempt,” he said.
“If the new (US) administration cannot agree with China in 2017, then rivalry in the economic, political and military spheres will be really exacerbated.”
Rogov was speaking at the conference, “Russia and China: Taking on a New Quality of Bilateral Relations.” The two-day forum took place on May 30-31 in Moscow, and was organized by the Russian International Affairs Council.
Participants gathered to analyze the dynamics, main achievements and vulnerabilities of Russia-China relations, aiming to come up with proposals to strengthen the strategic partnership ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China in June.
Speaking at the conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the President’s visit will be a boost to bilateral relations, and that the two countries are planning closer cooperation in business and finance.
“China is a key economic partner for Russia,” explained Lavrov, according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
“The task on the agenda is to increase bilateral trade to US$200 billion by 2020… (this is) absolutely attainable.”
“The most important indicator of success is a transition to a new model of economic cooperation, which is based on closer ties in the chain of production and in investment,” said Lavrov.
