Energy factor as an element of modern Russia and China’s foreign policy strategy

The paper examines the use of energy factor in the context of implementing the foreign policy strategy of Russia and China at the present stage. There have been changes in the current geopolitical situation and foreign policy techniques. The factors ensuring a sustainable development of bilateral constructive cooperation between Russia and China are defined. The research notes the nature of changes in the methods of foreign policy related to the increasing significance of the soft power technologies that are primarily implemented through the social and economic capacity of the state. The author emphasizes that the capacity of the energy industry refers to such a factor in Russia and China. The study discusses the features of the modern foreign policy strategy of the states under review. It is concluded that there are bi-directional circuits of the energy factor in the foreign policy of both countries, and they have a controversial impact on the state and prospects of development of bilateral relations.