The world is watching Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia for the first time since the Ukraine war broke out last year. China’s leader is on a diplomatic tour after a prolonged absence from the international scene due to China’s struggles with its domestic economy and Covid controls.
- Even as the Ukraine war continues, Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a three-day visit to Moscow and meet his counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be the Chinese leader’s ninth visit to Russia since taking office as China’s president a decade ago.
- Xi last visited Russia in February 2022, just before Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24. During that visit, the two leaders mocked the “no-limits partnership” between the two countries.
- Since then, China has been caught in a difficult diplomatic situation. While Moscow is one of the few major powers that shares Beijing’s discomfort with US foreign policy, the invasion threatens China’s diplomatic access to major Western powers.
- Beijing has faced economic troubles in recent years. Instability in its vital real estate sector and its strict zero-covid policy have weighed on China’s economic growth prospects. As such, Beijing has launched an attractiveness offensive in recent months to woo Western investors, particularly in Europe. However, its reach has been undermined by a widespread belief that it has given Moscow economic and diplomatic cover as it wages war in Ukraine.
- Russia’s war in Ukraine has also undermined Beijing’s long-standing advocacy of sovereignty and non-interference in countries’ internal affairs. Reports also emerged in the international media that senior Chinese officials were less than pleased with Russia for starting the Ukraine war.
- However, none of that animosity was on display in the immediate prelude to the latest summit. Xi Jinping released an excitedly signed article in Russian state-owned media firm RIA Novosti. They played a role in bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, aviation and space.
- “Both our sides have closely coordinated on the international stage and fulfilled their responsibilities as leading countries. China and Russia are firmly committed to safeguarding the UN-centred international system, the international order supported by international law and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
- However, the piece did not mention the war even once. Finally, the discussion of Ukraine will be difficult for both sides to avoid. As Western sanctions cripple key sectors of Russia’s economy, Moscow has become more dependent on Chinese purchases of energy and other goods. In addition, there may be concerns that China is considering providing weapons to support the Russian fight in Ukraine.
- While some argue that Beijing will not arm Russia for fear of crossing a red line with Europe and the US, others believe that China will have to double down and back down to Moscow, noting that the US He has some other powerful allies in his struggle against the Xi’s upcoming meeting with Putin will reveal much more about China’s future course of action.
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