It has been nearly three years since the declaration of "unlimited friendship" between Russia and China prior to the war in Ukraine.
According to the editorial board of The Guardian, the shared rhetoric of the two leaders at the beginning of 2022 promised unconditional partnership, but the reality has proven to be less romantic. Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have started to distance themselves from such phrases, and the words "without limits" have likely been dismissed at China's initiative.
Despite this, cooperation between Moscow and Beijing continues to deepen. The relationship between the two countries is already regarded as one of the greatest threats to U.S. national interests in the past sixty years.
Even with formal closeness, Sino-Russian relations are not without flaws. China, despite its strategic alignment with Russia, is cautious regarding the supply of weapons and ammunition to Moscow. Chinese banks have also tightened their compliance with sanctions due to Western threats, creating new hurdles for Russian companies.
"Russia and China have very different strategies. Putin's Russia is more destructive; whereas Xi believes that the current order can be adapted to Chinese interests. This is not an alliance, but rather a convergence," says historian and expert on Sino-Soviet relations Sergey Radchenko.
He adds that it is not ideology but rather interests and claims, threats and opportunities that unite both countries. However, this limitation makes the relationship more pragmatic and resilient. The expert notes that while the problems of Western democracies encourage Russia and China, their own difficulties become increasingly apparent. After years of growth that brought China close to the U.S., the Chinese economy is now facing challenges.
Source: theguardian.