- Given the sanctions and limited economic opportunities with Europe since the commencement of the special military operations in Ukraine, Russia recognizes the necessity of shifting its focus towards the Asian market.
- The significant exit of Western companies from the Russian market has been countered by China, as Chinese investments in Russia have steadily increased.
- The growing bond between China and Russia is likely to continue as both countries seek to strengthen their relationship in response to Western opposition.
President Putin visited China weeks after his reappointment as the President of Russia. This visit marked his first foreign trip following the presidential elections since the commencement of Russia’s special military operations in Ukraine. China has been one of Russia’s biggest allies, and their strong relationship is described as a “no-limits partnership.” Even after the military operations, Russia has been exploring its role as a transcontinental country with historical ties to both Europe and Asia. Russia’s relationship with China is particularly significant in the context of their mutual interests, whether concerning the United States, economic cooperation, or addressing global issues such as climate change. Thus, this visit underscores the importance of the relationship between the two nations.
Firstly, Russia aims to increase its economic dependency on China. Given the sanctions and limited economic opportunities with Europe since the commencement of the special military operations in Ukraine, Russia recognizes the necessity of shifting its focus towards the Asian market. Strengthening economic relations with China is crucial for Russia to compensate for the economic losses incurred from diminished interactions with Western countries. Therefore, maintaining a robust economic partnership with China is vital for Russia’s strategy to tap into the Asian market.
Numbers speak for this fact: the significant exit of Western companies from the Russian market has been countered by China, as Chinese investments in Russia have steadily increased. This trend suggests that China has given the green light to a substantial amount of Chinese investment to fill the gap in the Russian market. As a result, Russia is considering China as its biggest economic partner, especially after it struggled with the West.
One of the main reasons China and Russia have strengthened their alliance is due to shared geopolitical interests. Both countries face similar challenges from Western nations and have aligned their strategies in response.
Russia has experienced increasing tensions with Western countries, pushing it to seek closer ties with Eastern countries. Similarly, China feels threatened by Western powers and seeks to collaborate with Russia to create a united front against the West. A significant point of connection between China and Russia is their stance on the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region.
Recently, there has been heightened engagement by Western countries, led by the United States, with allies like South Korea and Japan. The formation of alliances such as AUKUS has intensified China’s fears of militarization in the Indo-Pacific, which brings U.S. and European influences closer to China’s borders. China believes this could further isolate it. In response, China seeks Russia’s support to maintain its interests and dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
Russia also has vested interests in the Indo-Pacific, desiring to exploit the region’s resources and increase its geopolitical influence. The ongoing relationship between Russia and North Korea further indicates Russia’s interest in the affairs of the South China Sea, aligning with China’s goals in the region.
China also aims to influence Eastern Europe. This intention was evident during recent visits by Chinese leaders to European countries that have strained relations with the United States. Through its alliance with Russia, China hopes to extend its influence both in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe, countering Western dominance.
Differences between Russia and China
Historical differences between Russia and China are among the most intriguing aspects of geopolitics. However, this topic is often overlooked in contemporary discussions. Presently, the geopolitical realities and continuous struggles between Russia and its Western counterparts have forced Russia to set aside its historical differences with China in favour of a stronger relationship. This collaboration aims to create a common economic and geopolitical front against the West.
While it is true that the current geopolitical situation has prompted Russia to temporarily isolate its historical differences with China, it does not mean these differences are forgotten. President Vladimir Putin has not entirely disregarded these historical disputes. One major historical issue is the territorial disputes between the two countries. The eastern part of Russia borders China, and there have been multiple reports from independent agencies indicating that Chinese villages are encroaching into Russian territory. These border issues remain unresolved and contentious.
Another significant difference lies in Central Asian geopolitics. Russia considers Central Asia its backyard, similar to how China views the South China Sea. Russia is wary of China’s growing geopolitical and economic interests in Central Asia, fearing it could undermine Russia’s historical influence in the region. China sees Central Asia as a critical area for its Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to expand its reach into Eastern Europe.
Additionally, there are differences in their relationships with India. Historically, India has been a close partner of Russia, and their relationship is often described as a “special privileged partnership.” However, ongoing tensions between India and China complicate Russia’s position. Russia is concerned about the friction between two of its key allies, which hinders the realization of the full potential of trilateral cooperation between Russia, China, and India.
The key difference between China and Russia lies in China’s greater economic proximity to Europe. European countries, despite being critical of China’s geopolitical behaviour, are heavily dependent on China economically. Chinese manufacturing products are highly sought after in Europe, making China a major trading partner for the 27-member European Union. This economic interdependence is evident as China has emerged as the largest trading partner for many EU countries. Consequently, European nations have been keen to maintain strong relations with China. This is reflected in recent visits by European leaders, such as President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to China. Additionally, Chinese officials have reciprocated with visits to Europe, underscoring the importance both sides place on their economic ties.
Therefore, it would be correct to say that because of modern geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western nations, the relationship between China and Russia has become a new norm in 21st-century geopolitics. This development has been driven by Western behaviour towards Russia, leading to Russia’s feeling of isolation. Consequently, Russia has turned towards Asia, finding a significant partner in China.
The growing bond between China and Russia is likely to continue as both countries seek to strengthen their relationship in response to Western opposition. Thus, it can be concluded that the more divergence there is between Russia and the West, the greater the convergence between Russia and China.
References:
- Vladimir Putin meets Xi Jinping: With deepening Russia-China ties, what are the concerns for India? https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/xi-putin-and-the-world-9333972/
- Russia, China have their differences but Putin and Xi are not talking about them https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/russia-and-china-have-their-differences-but-putin-xi-are-not-talking-about-them-723027/amp
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra