While the US is busy fomenting unrest around the world, Russia and China are strengthening their bilateral ties to establish an inclusive, multipolar world order.
Strengthening Sino-Russian Relations in a Changing Global Order
BRICS: A Symbol of Economic Independence and De-Dollarization
The success of the BRICS organization, its increasing popularity, and the de-dollarization campaign have not only frustrated the Trump administration but have also pushed many third-world countries towards it. Moreover, over the decades, the two nations have emerged as some of the strongest military and economic powers of the world, posing a significant threat to US global hegemony. China perceives that Russia’s Ukrainian issue is similar to its Taiwan problem. Just days before the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China and Russia signed a “no limits” partnership agreement. Since the start of the conflict, the relations between the two sides have reached a new zenith, with increasing energy cooperation and record bilateral trade. Since then, the bilateral trade between the two sides has also increased. In 2024, the bilateral trade between Russia and China reached $245 bn, more than double that of 2020. The Western propaganda against the two nations have further cemented the relations between the two new global superpowers. Under contemporary global circumstances, both sides acknowledge the need for strong bilateral ties to counter Western threats.
A Strategic Visit Amidst Rising Western Pressure
During the recent summit between the two sides, President Xi Jinping stated that Beijing seeks to enhance ties with Russia despite a “turbulent” external environment. During the meeting, President Xi pledged to further expand economic ties and mutual investment in various sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, connectivity, energy, green development, aerospace, aviation, and the digital economy, with Russia. In an official statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the enhancement of relations between the two sides as a “shared strategic choice” and declared that both states “must maintain close coordination”. The statement also stated, “China stands ready to work with Russia to pursue greater synergy between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Russia’s economic and social development strategies for the continuing benefit of our two peoples.”
Amidst escalating pressure from the Western world, this visit of the Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, is of immense strategic importance for Russia. In advance of this visit, Dmitry Peskov, the Spokesperson of the Kremlin, stated that Russia considers this visit “highly important”. President Putin has recently directed his government to build multimodal logistics and transport centers along the Chinese and North Korean border due to rising Western threats. This visit also illustrates the commitment of the two countries to further expand their bilateral strategic relations.
In the contemporary world, Russia and China are viewed as responsible and reliable allies globally. Both countries are spearheading a multipolar world order. Due to persistent violence and chaos under the US auspices in the current unilateral world order, the global south seeks a new multipolar and inclusive world order. A host of developing and underdeveloped nations seek to establish close relations with Russia and China. The inclusive policies of the two nations have attracted countries having diverse political systems and ideologies towards them. In addition, their policy of non-intervention has also enhanced their soft image around the world.
Over the past two decades, the United States has wreaked havoc in many parts of the world in pursuit of its international interests and ambitions. The Middle East and South Africa have been the prime victims of the US violence. Due to its frustration over the growing influence of the Eastern bloc, mainly China and Russia, the United States is continuously taking protectionist measures against all its trade partners and has also imposed sanctions on several countries. However, these punitive measures have proved counterproductive and have further increased Russian and Chinese influence. In the past few years, many middle powers have forged and enhanced their relations with these two countries. President Putin’s narrative against rising Islamophobia in the West has further increased the country’s soft image. However, strong relations and bilateral cooperation and coordination between the two sides is mandatory to end the Western atrocities around the world and the US-led world order.
Taut Bataut is a researcher and writer that publishes on South Asian geopolitics
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