Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-18 05:42Core Viewpoint - The recent news about Russia suspending electricity exports to China has been exaggerated by Western media, suggesting a rift in Sino-Russian cooperation, while President Putin remains calm, indicating a deeper strategic understanding of the situation [1][3]. Group 1: Trade Dynamics - The electricity trade between China and Russia began in 1992 and has been mutually beneficial, with China relying on Russian electricity due to geographical advantages [4]. - The Russian Inter RAO company announced a price increase of 7% for electricity exports to China, which led to a failure in reaching a consensus on pricing, resulting in the suspension of exports [4]. - Electricity trade constitutes a negligible portion of the overall Sino-Russian trade, which exceeded $200 billion in 2024, with energy cooperation being the cornerstone, accounting for 40% of the total [6]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Putin's calm response to the electricity trade issue reflects a profound understanding of the overall Sino-Russian relationship, which is not significantly affected by individual trade disputes [3][6]. - The focus of Sino-Russian cooperation has shifted from single trade areas to broader issues such as global governance, energy security, and financial collaboration, indicating a long-term strategic partnership [9]. - Both countries adhere to the principle of separating commercial issues from political ones, ensuring that trade disputes are resolved through equal negotiations, which demonstrates the maturity and stability of their bilateral cooperation [10].