The author, an experienced Japanese diplomat and analyst, does not consider Russia / USSR-China border negotiations to be ordinary border talks, not only because they were held by two superpowers, but also because they were closely connected to changes in foreign policy strategy of both countries. The survey and reflection on these negotiations give us great insights into the nature of the two great powers’ attitude towards their border and their mutual relations as a whole. In this article, the author analyzes in detail the progress of the negotiations between the Soviet Union / Russia and China since 1965 till their success in 2004. The diplomat describes all zigzags, twists and turns as well as diplomatic vicissitudes that accompanied the border negotiations. The author presents a broad background of complex and contradictory political processes that took place in the world. After World War II, the Soviet Union and China went through immense political transformations, which resulted in a major change in foreign relations. Both sides faced the challenges that were dramatic in strategic terms, as well as in terms of security considerations. In other words, the negotiations were closely intertwined with issues of domestic policy and strategic security issues. The author describes the specific characteristics of the Soviet (Russian) and Chinese approaches to negotiating tactics. The manner, in which the two superpowers – USSR / Russia and China tried to resolve these issues and came to a compromise, can give essential indications and lessons to the international community.