The Sino-US and Russo-US spats grabbed the world headlines this year.

At present, China and Russia are in partnership with each other while crossing swords with the US.

As regards Sino-US relations, a trade war was fiercely waged between them due to the US’ extremist trade protectionism.

The US imposed 25 percent of tariffs on Chinese goods worth US$ 50 billion from last July, followed by China’s introduction of retaliatory tariffs which are equivalent to those of the US. In September, the US also slapped 10 percent of punitive tariffs on US$ 200 billion-worth Chinese exports.

Though the two countries agreed to a ceasefire at the recent G20 summit, experts are of the opinion that there is a faint prospect that the trade war will come to an end due to their divergent views.

Their friction rapidly escalated to diplomatic and military fields.

As to the US assertion that China intervened in the midterm election of the Congress, China refuted that the principle of noninterference in other’s internal affairs is its diplomatic tradition and proposed holding an impartial discussion for settling the issue to the US embassy in China and the US Department of State. When China arrested two Canadians on suspicion of menacing national security after a Chinese citizen was detained in Canada, the US hurled accusations against China while branding it violation of law.

In late September, the US announced that it would sell weapons worth US$ 330 million to Taiwan and dispatched a destroyer and strategic bomber on the pretext of “freedom of navigation and flight” to the controversial waters of the South China Sea. China strongly responded that such US　moves are contrary to international law and the rules of international relations and they do harm to China’s sovereignty, security and interests.

The Russo-US relationship is still in deadlock.

Arguing that Russia intervened in presidential elections of the US and other countries, the US has put individuals of the Russian government and military on the sanctions list.

It continues to extend the term of sanctions on Russia under such pretexts as the assassination of a former Russian agent and the capture of a Ukrainian warship.

Recently, it declared that it will quit the INF treaty in 60 days unless Russia adheres to it in a complete and verifiable way, saying Russia’s cruise missiles are against the treaty, exacerbating the already high tension between the two countries.

Given that both Russia and China are subjected to sanctions and diplomatic pressure of the US, they are closely collaborating in the fields of military and economy.

China took part for the first time in Russia’s military drill　which was codenamed Vostok-2018, held in the Trans-Baikal region from September 11 to 17. Foreign media said that it was geared to containing the US by dint of alliance.

Both countries attach importance to bilateral cooperation as member nations of the BRICS and the SCO. In a recent meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia expressed its willingness to boost relations of economic cooperation with China and other Asian nations.

It is their common viewpoint that they should continue to join efforts in order to develop the strategic partnership onto a higher level, establish new international relations centring on cooperation and co-prosperity together with the international community and safeguard regional and global peace and stability.