Since 1996, Russia and China have been united in what both call a 'strategic partnership'. But the current stage of their relationship will more than likely give way to another that could surprise us, as previous ones have. The direction of such shifts has generally defied expectations. While Beijing values its strategic partnership with Russia, particularly as a means for obtaining arms and energy, it has no illusions that Russia and China can create an effective counterweight to the United States. It still sees the United States as the world's premier power, even as it finds some of Washington's actions objectionable. The United States should expect the Sino-Russian strategic partnership to endure and even to expand, but should not equate it with an alliance and react with panic. Stability and peace between Russia and China are in America's interest; they make the world in general and East Asia in particular safer places.