The Uneasy Alliance: What Lies Beneath Sino Russian Friendship The relationship between China and Russia has been touted as a "friendship with no limits," but experts say that's just a euphemism for Beijing calling the shots.
Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center think tank, points out that Russia is fully dependent on China, which dictates the terms of their trade agreements.
China is Russia's largest trading partner, while Russia makes up only 4% of China's international trade – a stark illustration of the imbalance.