RUSSIA AND CHINA DRAW CLOSERNeither groundbreaking nor unexpected, the friendship pact signed by Russia and China on July 16, 2001, was nonetheless far from empty. For one thing, it formalized a relationship that had grown ever warmer since the end of the Cold War. Though both parties contended that the new pact is not directed at third countries, this is a fig leaf that can be quickly discarded. The naked truth is contained in their hope for a "just and rational order", and in their opposition to numerous U.S. policies. Both sides also denied that the friendship pact is a military alliance. And yet their relationship is largely a military one. Russia is the second-largest exporter of arms (after the United States), and China is Russia's biggest client. Over the last decade, China has bought from its northern neighbor a full complement of modern armaments, particularly in air and sea power. Also, Russian-Chinese cooperation extends further, to intelligence sharing and the training of Chinese officers in Russian military academies. The Su-30, for example, is an all-weather, two seat, deep-strike fighter, equipped with a range of precision-guided weapons. Comparable to the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle, and far better than anything currently serving in the UK's Royal Air Force. In exchange, Russia receives much needed cash, as well as a willing industrial partner. China's nuclear-powered submarines, for example, are being built with Russian know-how. Refer to Table below for a summary of Russian arms bought by China since 1990. TABLE RUSSIAN ARMS BOUGHT BY CHINA SINCE 1990LAND
SEA
AIR
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