ABSTRACT
The Sino-Soviet rift constitutes one of the great schisms of contemporary international relations, and it is fraught with great strategic and diplomatic implications that have a considerable impact on the external policies of both China and the Soviet Union. Moscow has only intensified the Chinese fears, and the Sino-Soviet rift has been further widened. The real source of alarm is the possibility of Sino-American cooperation, or even tacit understandings, which the Kremlin leaders feel might mean a "significant switch in the strategic balance at Moscow's expense." The Sino-Soviet rivalry is pursued on various levels, and there is often direct competition in offers of trade and aid, trade fairs, exhibitions, sporting and cultural events, and exchanges of official visits. The Sino-Soviet rivalry is pursued on various levels, and there is often direct competition in offers of trade and aid, trade fairs, exhibitions, sporting and cultural events, and exchanges of official visits.
