[International Sharp Review] Russia ＂looks east＂ and sees three ＂beautiful scenery＂
The 4th Eastern Economic Forum was held in Vladivostok, the Russian Far East city, from September 11th to 13th. The supreme leader of president, China, and many heads of state or government from Northeast Asia, as well as delegations from more than 60 countries, attended the forum with high specifications and large scale, all of which were the highest in the history of the forum.
The Eastern Economic Forum was personally initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015, and it was one of many "look east" decisions made by Russia in the context of the rapid deterioration of relations with the United States and Europe. Russia’s policy of "looking east" was once regarded by the west as a "temporary strategic adjustment" to ease the pressure of sanctions. Some media even questioned "Looking east, can Russia see its future?" However, with the acceleration of Russia’s eastward pace in recent years, "looking eastward" is increasingly showing the characteristics of Russia’s long-term national strategy.
Looking eastward, Russia saw that Sino-Russian cooperation created huge dividends. As Russia’s largest trading partner, China has sent a large-scale and high-standard delegation to attend the first Eastern Economic Forum in 2015 every year. The presence of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader at the forum is the first appearance of China’s head of state at the Eastern Economic Forum, which fully demonstrates China’s positive attitude of participating in the cooperation in the East.
The cooperation between China and Russia in the Far East is playing an increasingly important role in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. At present, China is Russia’s largest trading partner and the largest source of foreign investment in the Far East, with a total investment of about US$ 4 billion. Twenty-six Chinese-funded enterprises have settled in Russia’s "Advanced Development Zone" and Vladivostok Freeport specially set up for the development of the Far East. At the same time, the two sides are also jointly promoting the construction of a river across the Sino-Russian border — — Railway and highway bridge projects in Heilongjiang to comprehensively improve the interconnection level of infrastructure in the border areas of the two countries. Undoubtedly, deepening Sino-Russian cooperation is an important part of Russia’s "looking eastward".
Looking eastward, Russia sees the expansion space of regional cooperation in Northeast Asia. The Eastern Economic Forum has been successfully held for three times, which has had a positive impact in Northeast Asia. During the forum last year, a total of 2.5 trillion rubles were signed, and this figure is expected to exceed 3.5 trillion this year.
Northeast Asia is rich in resources, mature in market and huge in potential. In addition to the Chairman of the Supreme Leader, the leaders of Northeast Asian countries attending this Eastern Economic Forum also include Mongolian President Battulga, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Luoyuan, which fully shows the willingness of countries in the region to strengthen cooperation. At present, several bilateral or multilateral cooperation frameworks in Northeast Asia are gradually taking shape: the construction of China-Russia-Mongolia Economic Corridor has achieved initial results, the negotiation of China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement is accelerating, and the ROK and the DPRK are expected to formally carry out economic cooperation. At the same time, the positive attitude of countries in the region towards the "Belt and Road" has gradually condensed into a consensus. In this context, the presence of the Chairman of the Supreme Leader and leaders of many countries in Northeast Asia at the Eastern Economic Forum is expected to further enhance regional cooperation and further promote the "Belt and Road" in Northeast Asia. This is undoubtedly a major positive for Russia to revitalize the Far East.
Looking eastward, Russia sees the development opportunities brought by the "express train" of the Asia-Pacific economy. The Far East is rich in natural resources and is known as "the only treasure house in the world that has not been dug deep". However, due to problems such as slow economic growth, backward infrastructure and serious population loss, this "treasure house" has so far failed to reflect its due strategic significance and economic value. Based on the strategic consideration of the balanced development between the east and the west, Russia has promoted the development of the Far East to the height of national strategy in recent years.
Behind this strategy is the rapid economic growth in Asia-Pacific region. As one of the most active and fastest growing regions in the global economy, the Asia-Pacific economic circle is a huge consumer market and a potential source of investment for Russia. Developing the Far East is not only an internal demand of local economic and social development, but also a way to let Russia catch the "express train" of rapid economic development in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Russian customs statistics, the proportion of trade between Russia and APEC member countries in Russia’s foreign trade has increased from 20% 10 years ago to 31% in 2017. According to a poll in 2016, 70% of Russians believe that cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region "has more advantages than disadvantages".
It should be pointed out that Russia’s "looking eastward" is not the product of western sanctions against Russia, but the deterioration of relations with the West has accelerated the pace of Russia’s eastward advancement to some extent. Even so, Europe is still an important trading partner of Russia. In 2017, the trade volume between Russia and EU countries still accounted for more than 40% of Russia’s foreign trade. Therefore, "looking east" does not mean that Russia will give up the West, especially its cooperation with Europe. Russia, like the double-headed eagle on its national emblem, will always focus on both the east and the west, but from the development trend, looking eastward, the vision is wider and the scenery is more beautiful. (International Critical Commentator)