Amid the US-led collective West’s increasing unilateral sanctions against Russia, China continues to deepen its strategic partnership with Moscow. This week, Chinese Premier Li Qiang led a high-level delegation to Russia, marking a pivotal moment in the 75th anniversary of Soviet-Chinese diplomatic relations. The visit underscores the robust relationship between the two neighbours, which has re-evolved from an alliance-hostility-friendship stage to a formidable alliance, particularly in the face of increasing western hostilities and sanctions on both.
Unlike the Cold War era, when the shared Marxist ideology built the founding stone of the two countries’ ties—differences over the same ideology later split them into hostile camps—at present the relationship is based on sheer pragmatism and driven by each other’s national and geopolitical interests.
Mr Li’s visit highlights this pragmatic approach adopted by both sides to strengthen their strategic ties and expand cooperation in multiple fields.
A crucial visit in challenging times
Premier Li’s visit comes at a critical juncture as both nations strive to navigate the economic and political fallout of western sanctions.
While Russia faces increasing western sanctions following its special military operations in Ukraine, which will complete 30 months on August 24th, China is facing severe economic sanctions because the US is considering it as one of the biggest threats to its hegemony—geopolitical, economic and technological.
Due to this growing hostile attitude of the West towards them, both countries are coming closer and building a robust bilateral bond and also inspiring other countries to advocate for a multipolar world order.
According to Liu Xu, the deputy director of the Institute for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies at Renmin University, this visit offers Moscow and Beijing a crucial opportunity to align their trade and financial strategies amid the hostile environment created by the West.
“Due to western economic sanctions, we have experienced a certain degree of interference in many areas of bilateral trade,” Mr Liu was quoted by the Russian news agency TASS. Mr Liu stressed, “Western pressure on China and Russia may create fundamental issues in the future.”Despite these challenges, Liu expressed confidence in the resilience of Sino-Russian cooperation. He believes that sanctions will not deter Chinese investments in Russia, particularly in the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, advanced technologies, environmental projects and mining. These sectors, he argued, would continue to thrive through the mechanisms established by the regular meetings between the two countries’ prime ministers, a process initiated by President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin.
Diplomatic significance of Li’s Russia visit
Upon his arrival in Moscow, Premier Li hailed the Russia-China relationship as a model for international relations, characterised by “political mutual trust, fruitful comprehensive cooperation, friendly feelings between people, and close and effective international collaboration”. Mr Li emphasised that “relations between China and Russia have become a benchmark for international relations of a new type between larger neighbouring states.”
Mr Li’s remarks underscored the strategic leadership of Mr Xi and Mr Putin, whose frequent engagements in recent years have injected new vitality into the partnership.
Mr Li noted that the two heads of state have met twice this year, during which they laid out strategic plans for the further development of Chinese-Russian relations in the context of the 75th anniversary of Sino-Soviet diplomatic ties.
“We have come here to implement the agreements between the two heads of state, strengthen our centuries-long friendship and bolster mutually beneficial cooperation,” Mr Li added.
Cooperation amid hostilities
During his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Premier Li stressed the importance of resilience in their multifaceted cooperation. “Our friendship is solid, strong and unshakable, it is our common valuable asset,” Mr Li stated. He further emphasised that in the face of a “complex and volatile international situation”, China remains committed to working with Russia “in the spirit of mutual respect, mutual trust, centuries-old friendship and mutual benefit.
This seems significant in the current context when the US and its western and Indo-Pacific allies have been trying to force both states to surrender their sovereignty to Washington DC.
China’s defiance of the West’s diktats became visible when Premier Li highlighted that Beijing is expecting to increase energy cooperation with Russia, which the West is trying to curb.
“Energy cooperation is a cornerstone of this expanding relationship… Both the quality and volume of energy cooperation [between Russia and China] are on the rise,” Mr Li noted, expressing confidence in the deepening of “multi-sided mutually beneficial cooperation” between the two countries, which will cause inconvenience for the US.
Prime Minister Mishustin echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “Russia is among leading oil exporters to China” and is expected “to become the largest natural gas exporter to China soon”. This highlights that while the West is trying to close the destinations of Russia’s energy exports to choke its economy, the latter is getting more new orders that will help it stay afloat.
He also pointed out that coal supplies are at a “decent level,” and there is ongoing joint work in the area of peaceful atomic energy.
Trade figures between the two nations have been impressive, despite the West’s sanctions. Mr Mishustin mentioned that trade turnover between Russia and China increased by 23% last year, surpassing 20 trillion rubles (approximately $217bn). He emphasised that their task is to ensure the long-term implementation of the decisions made by their leaders, noting that “the basis necessary for that exists”.
The strategic context
The strategic importance of the Russia-China partnership was further highlighted during the talks between Premier Li and President Putin. President Putin welcomed the Chinese delegation, remarking that “our countries have worked out large-scale joint plans, projects in economic and humanitarian spheres; [we] expect that for many years to come.”
He emphasised the significance of their partnership, particularly in light of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which will be commemorated on October 2.
Premier Li, in his response, expressed admiration for Russia’s socioeconomic development under Putin’s leadership.
“Your country’s GDP increased by 4.7% in the first six months of this year alone,” Mr Li observed, adding that “achieving such a high rate is never easy, and as your close friend and ally, we cannot help but welcome and deeply appreciate these achievements”.
In a display of the enduring strength of their alliance, Premier Li conveyed President Xi’s “sincere greetings and best wishes” and reiterated China’s commitment to fulfilling “top-level decisions and expanding our multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation” with Russia.
This visit, he affirmed, is a testament to the “strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin,” which has guided the relationship to “an unprecedentedly high level”.
