China and Russia

China and Russia offers a compelling, expansive history of the relationship between these two global giants, spanning from the seventeenth century to the present day.

Russia and China, the largest and most populous countries in the world, respectively, have maintained a delicate relationship for four centuries. In addition to a four-thousand-kilometre border, they have periodically shared a common outlook on political and economic affairs. However, they are fundamentally different polities and cultures, and their intermittent alliances have proven difficult and, at times, even volatile.

Philip Snow provides a comprehensive account of the relationship between China and Russia. Examining politics, religion, economics, and culture, Snow uncovers the deep roots of the two nations' alignment. The book highlights the shifts in the balance of power, from the wealth and strength of early Qing China to the Tsarist and Soviet ascendancies, and details episodes of intense conflict followed by periods of harmony.

Furthermore, Snow explores the experiences and opinions of ordinary people, which often vastly differed from those of their governments, and contemplates the longevity of the countries' current amicable relationship.