As 2020 drew to a close, China and Russia strengthened their alliance through joint military maneuvers in both Europe and Asia. The move was solidified by joint operations of the two nations’ air and naval forces, as well as through diplomatic statements from Beijing and Moscow.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping conducted a wide-ranging phone conversation in late December that confirmed the strengthened cooperation between their governments, who share a goal of diminishing American influence throughout the globe.
Moscow released a summary of the conversation:
“The presidents…summed up the development of Russia-China relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in the outgoing year. The leaders praised bilateral ties, stating that they have reached the highest level in history and are truly beneficial to both sides… the presidents reaffirmed their shared intention to further promote cooperation in all areas… The two leaders will continue to keep in regular working contact in the future.”
The official Chinese news agency noted: “Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that ‘China is ready to work with Russia to unswervingly develop the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, realize their respective development and revitalization, and make greater contributions to building a new type of international relations…By strengthening strategic cooperation, China and Russia can effectively resist any attempt to suppress and divide the two countries, and meanwhile forge a solid shield to safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi said…Russia is unswervingly committed to pushing for high-level development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, he said, adding that he is willing to work with Xi to continuously provide strategic leadership and ensure further development of bilateral ties in the new year. Russia… stands ready to join hands with China to continuously support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, deepen strategic coordination and cooperation in international affairs, and contribute to global strategic stability.’”
An American Military News analysis quoted Putin stating “Russia’s existing cooperation with China was advancing China’s military power and time will show how it will develop.”
Japan Today has reported that “Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint patrol mission over the western Pacific …in a show of increasingly close military ties between Moscow and Beijing. The Russian military said that a pair of its Tu-95 strategic bombers and four Chinese H-6K bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the joint mission was intended to “develop and deepen the comprehensive Russia-China partnership, further increase the level of cooperation between the two militaries, expand their ability for joint action and strengthen strategic stability.”
In the Mediterranean, Moscow and Beijing have held joint naval maneuvers.
In their study of this extraordinary alliance, Douglas Schen and Melik Kaylan, in their book “The Russian-China Axis” describe the cooperation between the two giant states:
“Militarily, the two nations are cooperating and collaborating like never before…Put simply, this coalition has the potential to permanently and fundamentally alter international relations. It was envisioned as, and it has functioned as, a counterweight to liberal democracy generally and the United States specifically…The Russia-China alliance—we call it a new Axis—already possesses extraordinary power, as it is clear not just with new economic and trade agreements and military cooperation but also in the areas of nuclear proliferation and cyber warfare. Individually and together, Russia and China seek to undermine the social, economic, and political framework of democratic societies and our alliances in a way that has yet to be fully understood. Their efforts to do so are emboldened immeasurably by a United States that is losing the confidence and trust of its allies and partners around the world.”
Frank Vernuccio serves as editor-in-chief of the New York Analysis of Policy & Government
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