Goals of Russia-China Cooperation in Developing the Northern Sea Route: The Position of the Governments and Business

The developing cooperation between Russia and China in the development of the Northern Sea Route requires theoretical understanding as an independent phenomenon. Aim and tasks. The purpose of the article is to find the most acceptable approach that can describe the interaction of the two countries based on theories of international relations. The objectives were to study Russian-Chinese cooperation from the standpoint of realism, institutionalism and constructivism. Methods. The results are obtained based on statements by officials and business representatives made at the Roscongress economic forums in 2018–2025. Results. For the Russian side, the approach from the standpoint of realism implies influence on world markets, as well as priority for interaction with friendly countries. The Chinese side points to the strategic value of partnership relations. Both parties gain influence on geopolitics in the region. An assessment of the role of institutions showed their importance for achieving sustainable development goals, organizing shipping, and economic development of the Arctic zone. In 2025, interaction moved to the level of bilateral intergovernmental formats and synchronization of goa ls with individual countries. From the standpoint of the constructivist approach, we can talk about corporate identity (the development of the Arctic is the largest project in the history of Russia and ensures a turn to the East), typical identity (the Arctic is the national idea of Russia and the mission of China), role identity (Russia needs investments and technologies. Containerization, the presence of ice-class vessels and year-round navigation are important for both), as well as collective identity, through which the countries p osition themselves as a single whole, sharing a common economic future, confirming friendship and steadfast mutual support. The theory of complex interdependence (neorealism), which assumes forced cooperation, did not find clear confirmation in the considered case, although in most publications it is realism and neorealism that explain the Russian-Chinese rapprochement. Conclusions. When we want to explain the relations of two countries that shared communist ideology for decades, theories based on market considerations turn out to be half-hearted. Commitment to friendship gives stability to the relationship, which leads to long-term economic results.