China-Russia military relations (2001-2024): Analyzing strategic, operational, and tactical Levels

Following the Cold War, China-Russia military relations have continued to improve steadily. This improvement is based on their shared interest in countering the United States (U.S.) and its Western allies, which is crucial for ensuring regional stability in the vicinity of both countries. The military relations between the two countries have improved, particularly in two areas: joint military exercises and military technological cooperation (MTC). Joint military exercises have become a regular feature of the military relations between the two countries. These exercises have expanded steadily in scope, geographical domain, and content. The other important dimension of their military relations, MTC, has witnessed a similar trend, thus improving in different areas, including inter-military consultation mechanisms, military personnel training, arms transfers, and joint ventures. These deepening military relations, while enhancing their military capabilities in overcoming potential threats, also serve their objective of advocating for a multipolar world order. This dissertation examines the scope of China-Russia military relations, primarily focused on joint military exercises and MTC, through the neoclassical realist theoretical framework. The analysis assesses whether their military relations operate at a strategic, operational, or tactical level and explores how the U.S. threat perception, as well as the internal dynamics of China and Russia, have influenced this cooperation in the military sphere.