From the bookshelf: ‘China and Russia: four centuries of conflict and concord’

The Russian and Chinese national flags are seen on the table as Russia's President Vladimir Putin (back L) and his China's President Xi Jinping (back R) stand during a signing ceremony at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on November 9, 2014. The Russian leader is in the Chinese capital to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit leaders' meeting. AFP PHOTO / POOL / HOW HWEE YOUNG (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)