China-Russia relations have been in the news a lot in recent months. There is a sense that perhaps Moscow and Beijing are moving towards an alliance. Some see them already in a de facto alliance; others argue cautiously that the relationship is still a marriage of convenience.
These discussions often lack depth, partly because of the lack of the historical perspective on the relationship. Sino-Russian relations go back to the 17th century, and it was a rocky ride all along. The two were at times the closest allies, and also the most bitter of enemies.
If you need that extra depth, here is thread of eight books on the rise and fall of the Sino-Soviet alliance that I would strongly recommend. The first is Dieter Heinzig's fantastic but rarely read book on the origins of the Sino-Soviet alliance. amazon.com/Soviet-Union-C….
This is a translation of a book originally published in German. Heinzig meticulously documents the ups and downs of the Stalin-Mao relationship, and his conclusions (about Stalin's cynicism and realpolitik) still largely stand.
While you are at it, read @OAWestad's edited volume, Brothers in Arms. The hard cover on Amazon sells for $1099, which is a little pricey even for such an excellent volume but maybe your local library has a copy. amazon.com/Brothers-Arms-….
Westad's introduction is particularly insightful: ever the enemy of monocausality, he draws a nuanced picture highlighting both the resilience of the alliance (it went on for longer than originally thought) and the complexity of the factors that drove Beijing and Moscow apart.
On the Sino-Soviet split itself, I dare say that mine and Lorenz Luthi's books are still the key accounts. Lorenz and I reviewed each other books in a series of roundtables. Here is mine of Luthi: issforum.org/roundtables/PD…. And here is the book: amazon.com/Sino-Soviet-Sp….
Luthi highlights the importance of ideology to understanding Sino-Soviet relations. I am much more skeptical - ever the realist/cynic. Here is the link to mine - check out the juicy title: amazon.com/Two-Suns-Heave….
These debates are relevant to understanding whether today's Russia and China are drawn towards each other merely by the West's hostility or whether their relationship has "ideological" underpinnings.
Xia Yafeng recently co-authored two volumes with Shen Zhihua and Li Danhui. Lots of good stuff in there on the details of the relationship, especially from the Chinese side. Here is one of the volumes: amazon.com/Mao-Sino-Sovie….
The Sino-Soviet alliance and split was not just Stalin and Mao. For a bottom-up view of the alliance, read Austin Jersild's meticulously researched book: amazon.com/Sino-Soviet-Al….
Or, better still, check out this fabulous book by Elizabeth McGuire: amazon.com/Red-Heart-Chin…. Needless to say, I don't buy Elizabeth's romantic take on Sino-Soviet relations but she writes like a god.
And if you want a more global take on the relationship, and how it mattered in the broader Cold War, your book to read is Jeremy Friedman's excellent Shadow Cold War: amazon.com/Shadow-Cold-Wa…. Ideology is also front and centre in this book (I have grave reservations!)
This is not an exhaustive list of books on the rise and fall of the Sino-Soviet alliance. Not even close. But they highlight the key issues:how important was ideology? How important was realpolitik? Why did Mao choose to "lean" on the Soviet side? Why did the alliance fall apart?
And what does it all mean for the future of our world?
