摘要
Just as the human civilization has entered into a new century, so has the Rus-sian Federation arrived at a critical turning point. The State Duma election justconcluded and President Boris Yeltsin’s resignation ahead of schedule have heraldeddawning of a stabilising Russian political scene. As Russia is still a big power, es-pecially a heavyweight military power, any new developments in the country wouldhave profound impact upon the international community. Therefore, in what direc-tion Russia will develop in the new century is a question not only being watchedclosely by its own people, but also being followed with great interest by the wholeworld.
