This paper discusses whether the causes of the split between the Soviet Union and Communist China were
primarily economic
or ideological. From the paper: "Since being drawn into the Korea War, China had been subjugated under Moscow's influence. Stalin's death and Khrushchev's eventual rise to power presented Mao Zedong with the opportunity to break with the Soviet Union. The origins of the Sino-Soviet split were
primarily economic. As the Soviet Union continued to emphasize heavy industry and military
products, Mao became determined to modernize China and expand the economic base to include light industries and more consumer products."