ABSTRACT
Sino-Russian relations have seen dynamic changes and have been regarded as ambiguous and uncertain, with some even regarding the bilateral relations and the rationale and motives behind them as full of contradiction. Through institutional cooperation, China has developed diplomatic initiatives with Russia on the sharing of the Amur River. However, China’s water diplomacy with Russia has been complicated by the differences between its own and Russia’s strategic interests over the Amur, which is crucial to both countries’ regional strategic interests in East Asia. This chapter examines the interactions between China and Russia regarding the sharing of the Amur River. It investigates the complex nature of water-sharing, including issues surrounding border disputes, economic development and water management. With the bilateral relations being relatively stable, China has managed to develop a level of trust with Russia on its management of the Amur. However, China’s vested interests are not congruent with Russia’s intention to tackle issues in the Amur river basin. China’s water diplomacy, characterized by prioritized strategic interest in the Russian Far East, has the tendency to impede its water diplomacy.
