During his meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi affirmed that bilateral relations between the two countries are entering a new phase, reflecting an advanced stage of strategic cooperation in the face of a changing global order. This meeting comes as Beijing and Moscow have significantly strengthened their economic and diplomatic cooperation in recent years, a partnership that has deepened and solidified since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in early 2022.
Historical background of a strategic partnership
Sino-Russian relations are not a recent phenomenon, but rather the product of a long historical development that began with the collapse of the Soviet Union. These relations have undergone a radical transformation from cautious competition to close partnership, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation in 2001, which laid the legal and political foundation for their long-term cooperation. Just weeks before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin announced a partnership “without limits,” emphasizing that there were no “off-limits” areas for cooperation between them—a clear declaration of their shared ambition to reshape the global order.
The economic and geopolitical dimensions of the alliance
Economically, China has become a vital lifeline for Russia in the face of Western sanctions. Trade between the two countries has reached record levels, with China importing vast quantities of Russian energy (oil and gas) while exporting automobiles, electronics, and industrial machinery to Russia, helping Moscow mitigate the impact of its economic isolation. During his meeting with Shoigu, Wang Yi emphasized the importance of joint efforts to maintain a "balanced and orderly multipolar world" in a time of "turmoil," reflecting their shared vision of breaking the US-led Western hegemony.
Regional and international impact
The influence of this alliance extends far beyond bilateral relations. In international forums such as the UN Security Council and organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Beijing and Moscow closely coordinate their positions to oppose Western policies. This rapprochement worries Western countries, which see it as a direct challenge to the liberal international order established after the end of the Cold War. While China officially maintains its neutrality in the conflict in Ukraine and denies providing military assistance to either side, its diplomatic and economic support for Moscow is a key factor in Russia's ability to withstand international pressure, making this alliance a central element in shaping the global geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.
