ABSTRACT
Russian-Chinese economic interactions in their first decade constituted the weakest link in their bilateral relationship. In contrast to these activities, aerospace collaboration with China appeared almost dignified, but it still was an action primarily born out of financial desperation. China's entrance into the World Trade Organization (WTO) exacerbated the situation, but the Chinese leadership considered that membership in the WTO, while a risky venture, was essential to the final transformation of the Chinese economy to market mechanisms. Forswearing the socialist model of economic performance, both Russia and China aspired to participate in the structures of the global market economy. Apart from arms sales and military-technical cooperation, Russia was able to attract Chinese interest in three technologically advanced venues in the first decade of the Russian Federation: the nuclear industry, aerospace, and civil aviation. Chinese trade with Russia in 2002 was only 1.9 percent of its total trade turnover. This chapter discusses the commodity composition of Chinese Exports and Imports.
