Cooperation between Russia and China in the papermaking industry and prospects for its development under the impact of Western anti-Russian sanctions (2014 – 2023).

Insufficient knowledge of the level of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the pulp and paper industry, especially during the period of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Western countries from 2014 to 2023, prompted a study of the state of the pulp and paper industry and the search for new ways to develop partnerships between the Russian Federation and China. The scientific work is based on an analysis of projects implemented by TsBP-Service LLC in cooperation with China in the selected industry for the companies Kuzbass Scarab LLC and Sibtara LLC. In order to obtain a more complete understanding of the current situation in the pulp and paper industry, an expert semi-structured interview was conducted, on the results of which, among other things, it was possible to confirm the hypothesis derived during the study. In addition, political and economic factors affecting Russian-Chinese cooperation such as availability of available technologies, transport risks, shortage of qualified personnel and geographical factors were analyzed. The consequences of anti-Russian sanctions affecting logistics and cross-border payments were identified, and directions and trends in the development of partnership between Russia and China in the near future were determined. Thus, an interactive map of existing large manufacturers of egg packaging from molded paper pulp and poultry factories/farms was compiled, based on which it is possible to determine the most promising area for opening a new production, since the map clearly shows where there is demand for the products of one of directions of the pulp and paper industry. The main result of the study was the understanding that despite the presence of negative consequences after the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions by the West, positive aspects in the context of working with Chinese partners prevail. For Russia, such cooperation makes it possible to implement the production of modern and environmentally friendly products, saturate its market with the technologies necessary for the development of the industry, and modernize production facilities. When, for China, the current situation is beneficial from the position of expanding trade cooperation with enterprises that previously worked only on European equipment, as well as with new players in the pulp and paper industry market. China, taking advantage of the situation, is expanding its sphere of influence on the vacated pulp and paper market in the Russian Federation. Mutual benefit obviously leads to a rapprochement between the two partner countries and strengthens their positions in the international arena.