Politics
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet in Beijing, build strategic partnership on submarines and rail
The red carpet at Beijing International Airport must be worn out by now. US President Donald Trump used it last week during his three-day state visit to China. A few days later, Russian President Vladimir Putin also used it for a visit marking the 25th anniversary of a treaty of friendship and cooperation between Russia and China.
Like Trump, Putin received a guard of honor, a 21-gun salute and an enthusiastic welcome from happy flag-waving Chinese children. The Russian president was met by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, following standard diplomatic protocol. Trump had a bigger welcome: Vice President Han Zheng, who outranks China’s foreign minister. It was a subtle gesture by Chinese President Xi Jinping, recognizing the rarity of a visit from the U.S. president.
The West has imposed widespread sanctions against Russia in a bid to isolate Putin following its illegal invasion of Ukraine. They didn’t succeed. Russia retains control of the key ingredients for success: food, fuel, materials, and scientific and technical talent. And it’s not just China that is engaging economically with Russia, but also other highly populated countries like India, Brazil, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and NATO member Turkey.
A procession of world leaders has headed to Beijing over the past six months, including Emmanuel Macron of France, Mark Carney of Canada and Keir Starmer of Britain, but Putin stands out for the large number of meetings with Xi. The two men have met regularly since Xi became president in 2013, so much so that analysts disagree on the number: it’s more than 40 and perhaps as many as 60 times. Xi chose Russia as his first foreign destination when he became leader. He was one of the few world leaders to attend the Winter Olympics in Sochi the following year. When Russia was hit with U.S. sanctions for invading Crimea immediately after the Olympics, Xi ordered Chinese companies not to negotiate with their Russian counterparts. He wanted to avoid Russian resentment and fear of being exploited in times of weakness. Xi’s actions helped build trust with his fellow autocrat.
Xi and Putin are almost the same age. Both view the collapse of the USSR as a strategic calamity because it encouraged the United States to bring its full weight to bear on the world. Both have tamed their countries’ oligarchs. “I have a similar personality to you” Xi once said Poutine. Both believe in strong leadership. Xi said One of the reasons the USSR collapsed was that “in the end, no one was a real man. No one came out to resist.”
While Trump and Xi issued separate readings but did not issue a joint statement, Putin and Xi issued a joint statement of nearly 10,000 words. They agreed to jointly build a new rail link between Zabaykalsk, in Russia’s Far East, and Manzhouli, in China’s Inner Mongolia region. This area is the busiest rail checkpoint on their border, but currently has incompatible rail gauges. Once completed, it will add nearly 50 pairs of additional freight trains per day. Russia later announced it would sell 10-year government bonds denominated in Chinese yuan. No agreement was reached, however, on an issue of great importance to Russia: the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project, which is expected to more than double its current gas exports to China, already the world’s largest gas importer. This ambitious project would provide gas equivalent to a third of Russian exports to Europe before the war in Ukraine.
Unlike the Arab oil states, which sell hydrocarbons and buy carbohydrates, Russia sells both hydrocarbons and carbohydrates to China. It will increase its agricultural exports through joint infrastructure projects, including grain terminals, food processing plants and supply routes to China.
In addition to personal chemistry and economic alignment, there is strategic alignment between the two giants. Some aspects of their military cooperation remain confidential, as neither country is transparent with its own citizens, let alone the rest of the world. However, it is clear that each country views the other as a stable strategic rear, ensuring a relatively weak military presence across its vast land border. Russia left its border with China undefended when it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. This probably would not have happened in previous years. Russia has allowed China to buy some of its most advanced fighter jets and missile defense systems. It also seems more tolerant of Chinese population flows near its Far East.
Advanced Russian submarine technology can help China overcome major vulnerability; its submarines are relatively noisy, perhaps noisier than Russian submarines of the 1970s. American naval researchers claim that Russia is helping China develop a quieter propulsion system for its boats. Of course, neither can compete with the United States; its Ohio-class nuclear missile submarines are quieter than Current Russian submarines. Both countries have similar geographic vulnerabilities. Russia has a vast territory but is vulnerable to naval interdictions by U.S. allies and partners. China has a vast coastline, but it is vulnerable to bans if it tries to access the Pacific Ocean directly.
The two countries are cooperating to overcome their vulnerabilities. President Xi plans to visit North Korea next week or the week after. A loose coalition called CRINK could develop – China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. This red rug can expect to see a lot more use before being replaced.
Professor Clinton Fernandes is part of the Future Operations Research Group at the University of New South Wales. His latest book is Turbulence: Australian foreign policy in the Trump era.
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Professor Clinton Fernandes is part of the Future Operations Research Group at the University of New South Wales, which analyzes the threats, risks and opportunities facing military forces in the future. He is a former Australian Army intelligence officer.From our partners
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Sources 2/ https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/days-after-trump-left-xi-welcomed-putin-they-have-a-chemistry-that-s-reshaping-the-world-20260524-p6002y.html The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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