Russia and China have enjoyed many types of relations over the years. These are two of the most populous and largest states in the country. These two states also share vast borders. Both states have a problematic past with the United States and currently have somewhat shaky relations with the United States. Cooperation between Russia and China is beneficial to both states, although forming an alliance may pose a risk to the current status quo of international relations in Asia and the world. China and Russia will continue to work together to achieve major power status in Asia. From a realistic perspective on the issue, China and Russia only cooperate for their own personal gains that suit them. Often their short periods of amiability are interrupted by an altercation or disagreement between the two states. This is seen throughout the history of their contacts. China and Russia began their relations in the 17th century between the Romanov Empire and the Qing Dynasty when they signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk on September 6, 1689 (Harkins, 2010). China and Russia have experienced several skirmishes along their borders, but have maintained somewhat peaceful relations along their borders. They have sensitive opinions about each other and are rivals in many ways due to their shared past. Russians have often felt superior to Chinese, dating back to Tsarist Russia and the Qing dynasty. During China's "century of humiliation", many unequal treaties were concluded between the two states. Many of these treaties took land from China and the largest treaty that accomplished this was the Treaty of Peking in 1860 (Harkins, 2010). This treaty gave Russia Primorye and access to the Pacific Ocean. In 186...... middle of article...... China Relations: Current Status, Alternative Futures, and Implications for the West. Gelb, L.K. (2013). Beware of collusion between China and Russia. national interest, (126), 5.Harkins, DW (2010). Sino-Russian relations in the 21st century: perspectives and challenges. MONTEREY CA NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL. Hiscock, G (September 13, 2013). Washington finds itself on the sidelines while Sino-Russian relations are flourishing. retrieved December 6, 2013 from CNN website: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/world/asia/china-russia-relations-hiscock/Ross, RS (2009). The rise of Russia, Sino-Russian relations, and American security policy. Royal Danish Defense College, 1-8. Yang, C. (2013). A study of Sino-Russian energy cooperation from the perspective of international relations theories. Journal of China and International Relations, 1(2). Retrieved from http://ojs.aub.aau.dk/index.php/jcir/article/view/534