The image of the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, together with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the military parade for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the ‘Great War Patria’ left no doubt: The alliance between China and Russia remains firm. However, that apparent closeness has boundaries. He explains Claus SoongAnalyst of the Merics Institute and author of the ‘Chinese-Russia board’, in one.
Soong points out that, despite the “unlimited” rhetoric between the two countries, Beijing maintains a calculated strategy: “China knows very well that You have no interest in supporting Russia more actively in the conflict. In fact, it is quite the opposite, since Fear the western sanctions“.
The expert emphasizes that China benefits from its association with Moscow, but avoids getting involved directly in the war of Ukraine. “It is in one equilibrium positiontrying to get the maximum benefit of this relationshipbut that’s, “he explains.
Thus, this relationship, Soong warns, is asymmetric: “Russia is more dependent on Chinaespecially since 2022. Without Chinese economic support, Moscow would be unable to maintain its war effort“.
Despite that agency, Beijing also needs Russia as a geopolitical counterweight: “Without Putin’s Russia, China would be in a truly vulnerable position.” “To characterize the relationship between China and Russia, it can be said that the two countries share the same bed, but they have different dreams,” he concludes.
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