Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s recent visit to China highlights the deepening bond between the two nations amidst Russia‘s ongoing offensive in Ukraine. Putin, greeted by an honor guard from the People’s Liberation Army upon his arrival in Beijing, marks this visit as his first trip abroad since his re-election in March.

“It was the unprecedentedly high level of the strategic partnership between our countries that determined my choice of China as the first state that I would visit after officially taking office as president of the Russian Federation,” said Putin.

“China is willing to … jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world,” said Xi Jinping.

Key Points:

• Strategic Partnership: Putin‘s visit is a strategic display of unity against Western pressures, emphasizing the close ties between Russia and China.
• Military Collaboration: The visit highlights the growing military cooperation between the two countries, including joint naval drills and military exercises.
• Economic Interdependence: China’s role as a critical supplier to Russia’s defense sector showcases the economic interdependence between the two nations.
• Global Implications: The strengthening alliance between Russia and China has significant implications for global power dynamics, challenging the current international order.

Why It Matters:

• Defiance Against the West: The alliance between Russia and China serves as a counterbalance to Western dominance on the global stage.
• Economic Support: China’s support bolsters Russia’s economy and enhances its military capabilities through technology transfers and joint exercises.
• Concerns from the West: The flow of Chinese technology to Russia’s defense sector has raised concerns in the West, with the US expressing apprehensions about China’s role in supporting Russia’s military operations.

The ‘Big Brother’ Role Reversal:In recent years, the relationship between Russia and China has undergone a significant transformation, with Moscow increasingly reliant on Beijing amidst Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. What was once seen as a partnership of equals has now become increasingly asymmetrical, with China holding the upper hand.

China has emerged as a critical source of essential goods for Russia, ranging from electronics to washing machines to tractors. However, Russia’s arms exports to China have declined sharply, while China has become a major provider of optics, microelectronics, drone engines, and other materials crucial for Russia’s weapons production.

Trade Disparities
Data from CEIC Data shows that China accounts for about 33% of Russia’s overall trade, while Russia makes up only 4% of China’s trade. This trade disparity highlights China’s growing economic influence over Russia.

Energy Trade
The energy trade between the two countries has also shifted in China’s favor. With European countries shunning Russian oil and gas, Russia has had to sell its resources to China at significant discounts.

Strategic Partnerships
Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, describes the Russia-China relationship as a strategic partnership where both sides need each other, but increasingly in China’s favor. China’s leverage over Moscow is evident in negotiations over projects like the Power-of-Siberia 2 gas pipeline, where Beijing’s reluctance to finalize terms demonstrates its dominance.

Putin’s Deference to Xi
Despite his reputation for haughty displays of power, Putin has adopted a noticeably deferential tone towards Xi Jinping. This shift in attitude reflects China’s ascendant role in the partnership.

What they are saying:

• “It was the unprecedentedly high level of the strategic partnership between our countries that determined my choice of China as the first state that I would visit after officially taking office as president of the Russian Federation,” Putin said.
• “We will try to establish closer cooperation in the field of industry and high technology, space and peaceful nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources and other innovative sectors,” Putin said.
• “This is Putin’s first trip after his inauguration, and it is therefore intended to show that Sino-Russian relations are moving up another level,” independent Russian political analyst Konstantin Kalachev told AFP.
• “The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it,” Xi told Putin.
• “China is willing to … jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world,” said Xi.
• “The United States still thinks in terms of the Cold War and is guided by the logic of bloc confrontation, putting the security of ‘narrow groups’ above regional security and stability, which creates a security threat for all countries in the region,” the joint statement said. “The US must abandon this behaviour.”

Putin’s visit to China signifies a deepening alliance between the two nations, with China emerging as a key supporter of Russia amidst its conflict with Ukraine. The strengthening ties between Russia and China have broader implications for global power dynamics, challenging the existing international order and highlighting the evolving relationship between the two “presidents for life,” Putin and Xi Jinping.

(With inputs from Agencies)