Sino-Russian relations have thrived in the post–Cold War era. While the relationship has attracted ample academic attention, many of the underlying factors contributing to the bilateral rapprochement over the past three decades remain un(der)explored. This article examines the role played by one of the factors involved in this process: the development of institutional links between the two states. Bilateral institutions, which were largely absent until the mid-1990s, have rapidly proliferated into a dense network of commissions and subcommissions, working groups, and other institutionalised exchanges, encompassing virtually all sectors of interaction between China and Russia. The article employs analytical concepts borrowed from Institutionalist theory and develops criteria of analysis to assess the extent to which the process of bilateral institution-building has contributed to promoting and perpetuating Sino-Russian rapprochement, enabling the two states to forge a closer working relationship with each other. The article also examines what the limits of this process have been. It concludes that the practical impact of bilateral institution-building on policy-making has been modest; however, the institutions have come to constitute important forums to secure a regular exchange and familiarisation between senior decision-makers and stakeholders, allowing for an active communication of important information and mutual assurances regarding each country’s policy choices, intentions, and concerns.

中文翻译：

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制度建设如何塑造大国结盟：中俄伙伴关系的制度视角

冷战后时期中俄关系蓬勃发展。尽管这种关系引起了学术界的广泛关注，但过去三十年来促成双边和解的许多潜在因素仍未得到探索。本文探讨了这一过程中所涉及的因素之一所发挥的作用：两国之间制度联系的发展。直到 20 世纪 90 年代中期才基本上不存在的双边机构已迅速发展成为一个由委员会和小组委员会、工作组和其他制度化交流组成的密集网络，几乎涵盖了中俄互动的所有领域。本文采用借鉴制度主义理论的分析概念，并制定了分析标准，以评估双边制度建设进程在多大程度上有助于促进和延续中俄和解，使两国能够与彼此建立更密切的工作关系其他。本文还探讨了这一过程的局限性。报告的结论是，双边机构建设对政策制定的实际影响不大；然而，这些机构已成为确保高级决策者和利益攸关方之间定期交流和熟悉的重要论坛，从而能够就各国的政策选择、意图和关切积极交流重要信息并相互保证。