In an era of global changes, China-Russia joint Eurasian historical research is a strategic necessity, Peng Bo writes.
In an era of profound global geopolitical shifts, the Eurasian continent, a strategic nexus between East and West, holds immense significance. Its historical narrative influences not only the past but also the future international order. As two ancient civilisations and contemporary powers in Eurasia, China and Russia can make the strategic move of collaborating on historical research in order to deepen bilateral ties, promote Eurasian integration, and safeguard a multipolar world.
I. The Battle for Historical Narrative Power in Eurasia
On December 19-20, 2025, the first Japan-Central Asia “C5+1” Summit took place in Tokyo, and was attended by the leaders of the five Central Asian countries. Amidst tense China-Japan relations, with Japan’s remarks provoking China and facing opposition from Russia, North Korea, and South Korea, Japan aimed to strengthen strategic communication and economic cooperation with Central Asia, especially in key minerals and supply chains. By investing $19 billion in commercial projects, Japan sought to reduce dependence on China and offset the influence of Beijing and Moscow in the region, coordinating with the US-Japan alliance’s strategy.
Central Asia, situated between China and Russia, is crucial for Russia’s traditional influence and China’s Belt and Road land route. Russia maintains significant discourse power through organisations like the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union, while China is the largest trading partner of the five Central Asian countries. Japan’s intervention offers more options for cooperation, but China’s economic role and Russia’s security assurance remain priorities for Central Asian countries, and the regional pattern’s core logic won’t change easily.
Japan has long harboured expansionist ambitions towards Eurasia. Since the Meiji Restoration, it has conducted research on regions like Central Asia and Mongolia in order to obtain Eurasian discourse power. Its current move is not isolated. During World War II, Japan’s aggression was a tragic page in Eurasian history. Now, under the guise of “economic security,” it is strategically penetrating Eurasia within the framework of the US-Japan alliance. This highlights the need for China and Russia to consolidate historical narrative power through joint research, in order to prevent history from being distorted or forgotten.
II. China-Russia Historical Research Cooperation: From Bilateral Ties to Pillars of a Multipolar Order
The China-Russia relationship is a model of contemporary international relations, with historical research as its cultural cornerstone. In recent years, their cooperation on Eurasia has expanded from economics and security to broader fields. Russia’s Greater Eurasian Partnership has effectively docked with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, forming a complementary regional integration model. For example, the linkage between the Eurasian Economic Union and China’s Silk Road Economic Belt promotes trade growth and provides institutional stability for Eurasia.
However, historical research cooperation between the two countries is still lacking; it mostly focuses on the political and economic levels while neglecting cultural and historical dimensions. In the current international situation, with the risk of a “new Cold War” rising due to US actions like promoting the “Indo-Pacific Strategy” and creating regional divisions, China and Russia need to jointly write Eurasia’s “official history.”
Historical research is not just academic; it conveys national interests and global perspectives. Through joint research, they can resist Western-dominated “historical nihilism.” Western scholars often distort World War II and colonial history, downplaying the contributions of the Soviet Union and China in the war against fascism and depicting the Silk Road as an appendage of Western civilisation. Such narratives serve geopolitical purposes to weaken indigenous Eurasian forces. Joint China-Russia research can move from geopolitics to civilisational dialogue, crucial for resisting the “new Cold War” and avoiding Eurasian division.
Historically, Eurasia witnessed the Silk Road’s prosperity and the tragedy of modern Western colonialism. The Silk Road was a bond for civilisational exchanges, connecting Chinese, Slavic, and Central Asian nomadic cultures. Modern Western colonialism brought division and exploitation, like Britain’s rule over India and penetration into Central Asia. These lessons remind us that Eurasia’s future must be dominated by Eurasian countries.
Ⅲ. Building the Core Framework of Eurasian Narratives: From the Silk Road to World War II Memories
The greatest benefit of joint China-Russia historical research on Eurasia is reshaping narrative power. For a long time, the Western-centric historical view has dominated, portraying Eurasia as a “backward” peripheral region, and ignoring its core position in human civilisation. China and Russia can use joint projects to build a “Eurasian perspective” historical view, highlighting indigenous civilisations’ continuity and contributions.
Specific paths include: establishing joint research institutions like the China-Russia Eurasian History Research Institute, inviting Central Asian scholars to participate and build multilateral mechanisms; focusing on key themes such as the Silk Road revival, the just memory of World War II, and contemporary Eurasian integration; spreading Eurasian narratives through joint works, international seminars, etc., like researching China-Soviet anti-Japanese war cooperation to counter Western smears; and using digital technology to create a Eurasian history database for global scholars.
This cooperation can also provide cultural support for the Belt and Road and the Greater Eurasian Partnership. The Belt and Road is not just infrastructure but also a path to cultural revival. Through historical research, China and Russia can excavate shared heritage, enhancing mutual trust. Russian scholars have pointed out that the strategic compatibility of the two Eurasian countries is key to building a new order.
The ancient Silk Road connected Chang’an and Rome, promoting economic prosperity and cultural integration. Chinese silk and tea reached Europe, and Russian furs were sent eastward. But modern Western colonialism changed the pattern. In the 19th century, Britain divided the Ottoman Empire, and Russia engaged in the “Great Game” with Britain in Central Asia. In the 20th century, Japan’s aggression left wounds on Eurasia. During World War II, China and Russia fought side by side against fascism. China suffered over 35 million military and civilian casualties, and the Soviet Union had about 27-28 million total casualties, including nearly 10 million military deaths. Japan’s surrender marked the victory of just forces in Eurasia, but the Cold War divided the continent. After the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Western forces infiltrated Central Asia. Today, under the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, Eurasia faces external interference risks again. China-Russia joint research can review history, extract lessons, and show how unity can bring prosperity to Eurasia. In-depth research into Western and Japanese aggression can alert people and prevent the return of militarism and fascism.
IV. History as a Prism for the Future: The Global Significance of China-Russia Cooperation
Looking ahead, China and Russia should jointly promote Eurasian historical research, focusing on the Silk Road, World War II memory, and contemporary Eurasian integration. In Silk Road research, its significance must be highlighted as the precursor to the Belt and Road in order to enhance cultural identity among countries along the route. Regarding World War II memory, the countries must jointly commemorate the victory against fascism and resist historical nihilism. Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasised that the China-Russia relationship is crucial for global stability, especially at the historical level. In contemporary integration, the deep integration of the EAEU and BRI must be promoted to form a framework for cooperation in Eurasia.
This cooperation can consolidate China-Russia relations and radiate to Central Asia, South Asia, and even Europe. By facing challenges from external forces like Japan, China and Russia can build an inclusive and autonomous Eurasian narrative through historical research, injecting vitality into a multipolar world and avoiding Eurasian division into confrontational camps.
In conclusion, in an era of global changes, China-Russia joint Eurasian historical research is a strategic necessity. It is not only academic cooperation but also a cultural means for enhancing and reshaping the international order, leading Eurasia toward prosperity and safeguarding world peace and stability.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
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