Lyn Frans
The alliance between Russia and China has sent shockwaves through the geopolitical landscape over the past year.
Their partnership, has undoubtedly strengthened their global influence in many aspects, causing some challenges to the Dominance and stability of the Western allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China that started on Thursday, underlines an increasingly close partnership between the two allies who oppose the U.S.-led democratic order.
The two countries have coordinated their foreign policies, trade agreements, and military exercises to present a united front against the perceived Western hegemony. This has allowed them to wield greater bargaining power on the world stage and challenge the traditional balance of power.
Also Read:China, Russia Bolster Strategic Partnership In Xi-Putin Summit
China, led by President Xi Jinping, has offered robust diplomatic support to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine , ranking China as a top export market for Russian oil and gas, helping fill the Kremlin’s war coffers.
Russia also has relied on China as the main source of high-tech imports to keep its military machine running. Once Communist rivals, the two countries that share a 4,200-kilometer (2,600-mile) border have become closer in recent years.
A look at that relationship
Putin and Xi have met over 40 times and developed strong personal ties to bolster their “strategic partnership” as they both face soaring tensions with the West.
Putin said he chose China for his first trip abroad after being inaugurated to a fifth term in office this month because of the “unprecedented level of strategic partnership between our countries.”
Beijing has declared it a “no-limits” friendship.
Both Xi and Putin see Western efforts to spread democracy as an attempt to de-legitimize them, and they believe that authoritarian regimes are better for confronting the challenges of the modern world.
While China hasn’t provided Russia with arms to use in Ukraine, it has backed Moscow diplomatically, blaming the West for threatening Russia’s security.China also has strongly condemned Western sanctions against Moscow.
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Russia, in turn, has consistently voiced support for Beijing on issues related to Taiwan.
After Kyiv’s Western allies halted oil and gas imports from Russia, China has become Moscow’s top energy customer.
China, in turn, has become a top supplier of machinery and electronics to Russia after sanctions curtailed high-tech supplies.
The U.S. says China has greatly expanded supplies of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology to Russia that is used to make missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weapons.
According to U.S. assessments, Russia got about 90% of all microelectronics and about 70% of machine tools from China in 2023.
Amid their strengthening ties, Russia and China have held a series of “war games “in recent years, including naval drills and patrols by long-range bombers over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Russian and Chinese ground forces also have gone to each other’s territory for joint exercises.
Putin said Moscow has been sharing highly sensitive military technology with China that significantly bolstered its defense capability, including an early warning system to spot ballistic missile launches.
Also Read:Moscow,Beijing trade increase to $240 bln in January 2024
The ground-based radar and satellites previously were only used by Russia and the U.S.
In November, Putin suggested that Moscow and Beijing should expand cooperation on military satellites and other technology used for defense.
China proclaims its neutrality in the Ukrainian conflict, but it also refuses to condemn Russia’s action or even call it an invasion. Beijing blames the hostilities on the West and also strongly criticizes economic sanctions on Russia.
Last year, Beijing proposed a 12-point peace plan that echoed Moscow’s arguments and would secure Russia’s territorial gains. The proposal was quickly rejected by Ukraine and the West.
China also has turned a cold shoulder to a Ukraine “peace conferenrelati et” to be hosted by Switzerland in June and snubs Russia. Beijing has said it supports a conference that’s accepted by both Russia and Ukraine.
As the world watches the evolving dynamics of this critical geopolitical alliance, it is clear that the bond between Russia and China will endure any form of challenges that emerges, as both countries have a vested interest in maintaining the alliance, as it allows them to counter the influence of the West and pursue their respective strategic objectives.
