History of Sino-Soviet relations

Author: Xue Jiatian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: Tracing the development of relations between China and the Soviet Union, as well as between the two parties, this book reflects the full picture of Sino-Soviet relations and reveals the reasons behind the historical turning point in their ties. It provides a detailed analysis of the crux of Sino-Soviet relations—the Northeast and Xinjiang issues—highlighting the geopolitical characteristics of the relationship. Based on the foreign policy of the Communist Party of China (CPC), it examines the triangular and quadrilateral relations among China (and the CPC), the Soviet Union, and the United States. Using archival documents from Sino-Soviet relations, it discloses little-known facts in the history of their ties. Many top-secret archives and author interviews with key figures are presented for the first time. The book offers thorough research on controversial events. It comprehensively elaborates on the historical process of the development and evolution of Sino-Soviet relations during this period, comprising three monographs: the first explains the Sino-Soviet relations from the end of World War I (October Revolution) to the end of World War II; the second covers the period from the end of World War II to the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC); and the third addresses the Sino-Soviet relations from the founding of the PRC to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. These three monographs are interconnected in time and content but are published as independent books. The first half of the book focuses on bilateral relations, with party relations as a secondary thread. However, since the CPC had already become the dominant force in domestic developments by the second half of 1947, and the Soviet Union had shifted its focus on China's policy to the CPC, party relations between China and the Soviet Union had become the primary driver of bilateral ties. Therefore, the latter half of the book prioritizes party relations as the main thread, with national relations as a secondary thread. The fundamental content of the book unfolds along these lines. The book dedicates significant space to the Northeast issue. This is because the Northeast was the focal point of competition among China, the CPC, and the Soviet Union after World War II, and the Northeast issue was the core of post-war Sino-Soviet relations. It directly influenced the changes and combinations of bilateral and party relations. It is clearly necessary to devote considerable to the Northeast issue with detailed discussions, enabling readers to gain a clear and systematic understanding of this essential aspect of post-war Sino-Soviet relations.