A Chinese expert on Russia has expressed optimism that the two nations could find new ways to develop their economic ties in the face of Western sanctions. Feng Shaolei, director of the Center for Russia Studies at the East China Normal University, made the comments in an interview with the RIA Novosti news agency.
Feng noted that the international changes and conflicts of the past three to four decades have brought Russia and China closer together. He also pointed out that the trade relations between the two nations have been severely hindered by the Western sanctions.
However, Feng believes that something positive can be taken from a difficult situation. “I think that we can find a new way to regulate trade between our two countries” he said. “I believe that the responsible government officials and entrepreneurs are very clever and will definitely find a way to solve this problem. I think that the development of a new, stable and reliable method of trade exchange will only contribute to an increase in the volume of trade between China and Russia.”
Feng also suggested that both China and Russia may find more opportunities for economic transformation and development under the influence of Western sanctions. He recommended that the two nations cooperate to find the most suitable and beneficial new path of cooperation for both and by working together against the Western sanctions, they can become even stronger.