The Asia-Pacific region has recently come to the forefront with military-security moves and regional tensions. China, which forms the world’s second-largest economy following the United States (US), being an Asia-Pacific country,[1] further amplifies the significance of the region. Moreover, China is engaged in a significant struggle with the US, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the West in general.
In addition to the Asia-Pacific region, new poles are being constructed in the global system. In this context, the Russia-Ukraine War[2] that commenced on February 24, 2022, has had significant implications for both China’s foreign policy and regional-global balances. In this regard, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has decided to visit Russia and Belarus in support of the countries that the West is attempting to isolate due to Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. It has been reported that Li will deliver a speech at the Moscow International Security Conference on August 14, 2023, and embark on a six-day visit during which he will also meet with defense leaders from Russia and other countries.[3]
According to Russia’s official TASS News Agency, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will speak a conference on the topic of “The majority of countries in the world searching for alternative paths to development outside Western mechanisms, including strengthening new forms of multilateral partnerships” at the conference. Furthermore, it has been stated that representatives from approximately a hundred countries and eight international organizations have been invited to this event.[4]
According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has been mentioned that “Under the conditions of establishing a multipolar world order, ways to reinstate constructive international cooperation will be discussed in the context of various aspects of security and the aggressive claims of the European-Atlantic elites for global dominance.” [5]Moreover, Wang Wenbin, the Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referencing the statement from the Ministry of Defense, has stated that Chinese and Russian leaders maintain “strategic communication in various ways on multiple issues.” [6]Wang also used the phrase, “Both sides have engaged in regular high-level exchanges on comprehensive issues, including bilateral cooperation and common concerns.”[7]
In this context, it can be argued that both countries will continue to advance the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership in the new era. The strategic cooperation partnership is a joint declaration of “unlimited friendship” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, issued in Beijing in 2022, just before Russia’s February invasion.[8] On the other hand, Xi visited Moscow in March to send a message to Western leaders that their efforts to isolate Russia over the conflict in Ukraine were insufficient.[9]
At this juncture, Li’s participation in the conference can be read as a result of Beijing and Moscow’s efforts to harmonize their foreign policies through anti-Western sentiments. Furthermore, Russia’s interest in the region can also be seen as Moscow’s effort to send a message to the West that things are going well in the Ukraine War.
In conclusion, although Russia and China are geopolitical rivals in the long term, in the short term they are engaged in a joint foreign policy-making process based on anti-Western sentiments. This leads to positive relations between Moscow and Beijing. It can be argued that no serious deterioration in Russia-China relations will occur as long as the West’s tensions with Russia and China do not diminish.
[1] “The World’s Largest Economies”, World Data Info, https://www.worlddata.info/largest-economies.php, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[2] “Treatment of Prisoners of War and Persons hors de Combat in the Context of the Armed Attack by the Russian Federation against Ukraine”, Relief Web, https://t.ly/7M4N7, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[3] “Chinese Defense Minister to Visit Russia and Belarus in Show of Support Despite West’s Objections”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/russia-china-ukraine-defense-minister-49b036d4159dfe2543ce153b9f2ed94d, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[4] “Chinese Defence Minister to Visit Russia, Belarus Despite West’s Objections”, Consumer News and Business Channel Tv 18, https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/chinese-defence-minister-li-shangfu-to-visit-russia-belarus-ukraine-war-17527161.htm, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[5] “Chinese Defense Minister to Visit Russia and Belarus in Show of Support Despite West’s Objections”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/russia-china-ukraine-defense-minister-49b036d4159dfe2543ce153b9f2ed94d, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[6] “Chinese Defense Minister to Visit Russia and Belarus in Show of Support Despite West’s Objections”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/russia-china-ukraine-defense-minister-49b036d4159dfe2543ce153b9f2ed94d, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[7] “Chinese Defense Minister to Visit Russia and Belarus in Show of Support Despite West’s Objections”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/russia-china-ukraine-defense-minister-49b036d4159dfe2543ce153b9f2ed94d, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[8] “Putin and Xi Frame a New China-Russia Partnership”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2022/02/putin-and-xi-frame-a-new-china-russia-partnership/, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
[9] “Russia-Ukraine War as Xi and Putin Meet, U.S. Assails ‘Diplomatic Cover’ for Crimes”, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/20/world/russia-ukraine-xi-putin-news, (Date of Accession: 15.08.2023).
