Based on data from the WTO, Comtrade and Tradcmap for the period 1996-2017, we estimated the trends in the development of Russian foreign trade in general and bilateral trade between Russia and China, in particular, with a focus on the development of intra-industry trade. The article reveals strong correlation between the Russian foreign trade and performance of its economy. We found that during 1996-2017 Russia's foreign trade was mainly dominated be inter-industry specialization. The share of intra-industry trade varies depending on a commodity group and a partner. The level of intra-industry specialization is significantly higher in trade with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, while trade with the EU and China, with the exception of some product groups, is largely carried out on an inter-industry basis. In Russian-Chinese trade, a particularly high intensity of intra-industry trade was found for chemical products and agricultural goods. The priority of Russia's trade policy is to diversify exports in favor of non-commodity non-energy goods, as well as the development of industrial cooperation and value chains. In this regard, identification of industries with high potential, for diversifying'Russia's exports is of great importance.