Shortly after the world leaders met in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, insights into how this 21st-century quasi-alliance is changing the postwar world order will be closely monitored between China and Russia.
With the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, Bejing has publically announced that they stand by Russia's "security concerns" regarding Nato. Yuri Ushakov, Kremlin aide in Russia, announced that "Beijing supports Russia's demands on security guarantees, China shares the stance that security of one country cannot be ensured by means of damaging another country's security. David Shullman, director of the GLobal China Hub stated that "For China, Putin's visit is an important demonstration of support at a time when the US, UK, and other countries are undertaking a diplomatic boycott of the Games."
China has aided Russia in the past by signing a $400 billion 30-year gas deal in defiance against Western criticism. Putin will be meeting with Xi looking in hopes to bargain with China and have them sign more deals, including a joint statement that reflect the common views of Russia and China on key global issues, including security concerns. Russia is seeking Chinese support in its conflict with the Nato countries. Putin also noted joint efforts to expand payments in national currencies to create a mechanism to offset the negative impaction of unilateral sanctions.
The relationship between the two countries has continued to deepen strategic and economic ties, despite US-led efforts to derail their leadership or strategic interests. Despite each other's support, there has been no commitment to any military involvement from both sides. The type of foreign officials within Beijing this week will be more telling about the current state of affairs as well as some indication that the world is may be headed towards the direction of bi-polarisation.
By: Genevieve Weiss
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/03/xi-putin-summit-russia-inches-closer-china-new-cold-war-looms
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