CHINA - RUSSIA, A STRATEGIC POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AXIS OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

In the last few years the geopolitical structure of the contemporary world has been rapidly evolving. The hegemony of the United States is visibly being replaced with bipolar international political and economic power and relations. In the first half of 2013 there were no signs of changes in the existing situation on the horizon. Successful were the relations between the USA and China in the areas of economy, culture, research, and commerce. The relations between the USA and the Russian Federation at the beginning of the 21st century could also be described as good. It seemed that the co-existence of said nations would last on the same conditions for several dozen years at the very least. However, Kiev protests that marked the end of the year 2013, the Crimean crisis that started 2014, and then the still ongoing rebellion in East Ukraine, significantly transformed the existing balance of power. The well-established subtle balance of the mutual interests and spheres of influence was irreversibly disturbed. Political and military events triggered off old animosities and new ambitions. Ruled with an iron hand, Russia strongly opposed the attempts to gain influence in the East made by the EU and the USA that supported the Union. Initially more in disguise, but later officially, China sided with Russia. This resulted in the creation of a strategic political and economic axis, a long-term aim of which is to radically change the world's balance of power. The axis claims its opponents are the USA and the decaying "Western World". Some time ago such declarations would not be alarming. However, with the "old Europe" torn by internal conflicts and the USA weakening year by year, there is a reason to feel concerned. Many wonder whether it is possible for the Beijing-Moscow plan to be implemented. One should think how such an unfavourable chain of events would affect the world; whether the today's incidents could have been anticipated and how much time is left before the global order is changed.