Recently, there has been some resentment in India regarding the continuously deepening relations. Russia And China, Much of it was triggered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Beijing and news of President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Beijing in May. Putin last visited China on the eve of Russia’s “special military operations” in Ukraine when the “no borders” partnership was announced.
In fact, China-Russia relations are progressing at an unprecedented pace today. Bilateral trade between the two today stands at more than US$240 billion. China is Russia’s largest crude oil importer, receiving 19% of its total crude oil imports from Russia.
Chinese cars to capture 49 percent of Russian automobile market in 2023 From seafood to fashion industry and tourism relations are booming. And much of it is happening in local currencies, leading some to accelerate the “Yuanization” of the Russian economy.
Over the past two years, since Russia began its Ukraine operations, the Chinese yuan was used for 34.5% of Russia’s total export payments.
China, which has declared itself to be “neutral” ukraine The conflict, in short, is in Russia’s favor.
Still, holes in the armor remain.
Fault lines in China-Russia relations
For one, the “no border” partnership has not stopped China from protecting itself against secondary sanctions. Therefore, while Chinese consumer goods have quickly filled the gap left by the withdrawal of Western companies from the Russian market, Chinese investment has not.
China has slowed down its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects inside Russia, while its shipments to Europe have carefully bypassed Russian territory. Moreover, even as it continues to buy crude oil, gas, inert gases and grains from Russia, it maintains a diversified basket and drives hard bargains.
Major Chinese banks have reduced operations in Russia, and a recent Reuters report said half of Russia’s payments to China are being routed through intermediaries. China established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with Russia among the founders, and announced the suspension of projects involving Russia and Belarus in 2022.
Secondly, the threat of Chinese immigrants, especially in the Far East, is an issue that continues to haunt Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Vladivostok had discussed opening up Russia’s Far Eastern market to Indian workers, one reason being to combat Chinese migration in more controlled and manageable ways.
While Russia has been aggressively courting Chinese tourists, even allowing visa-free group travel, it recently announced it would scrap the visa regime for Chinese visitors in general. Not going to do it.
difference in viewpoint
last year, soon after BRIC At a regular event in Johannesburg, China unveiled its map, showing not only Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, but also the disputed territory with Russia of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island as its integral part. revealed. While India immediately condemned it, the Russians downplayed it as a “misunderstanding” that would be picked up locally.
However, the Chinese have a similar view of their place in the world system as Russia. one in South China Morning Post op-ed Excerpt titled March 13th 10 reasons why China and Russia differ in their approach to international rules Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, described how Russia and China had different approaches and behavior on the world stage, despite having a close strategic partnership.
Although it is not possible to mention all the points to interpret Yiwei, China seeks harmony and common good while Russia seeks differences. China benefits from the rules of the world system while Russia is a product of externalization. The two countries not only differ on international law and norms, but also behave differently on the world stage and, therefore, achieve different outcomes.
China emphasizes inclusivity while Russia’s relationship with the West has always been more confrontational. While China has a comparatively restrained national character, the Russians have inherited from their nomadic ancestors a tendency to move forward in search of expansion.
When it comes to engaging with other countries, Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of upholding justice in the event of wrongdoing. Russia’s approach is often to beat others at their own game. While China itself follows international rules, Russia asks others to follow international rules and considers itself free from such rules.
Implicit in the op-ed is China’s righteousness, if not arrogance, and ability to abide by international laws and rules, live in harmony and cooperate with others, and Russia’s failure to do so, which is a failure of its history and political and social culture. This led to expansionism and confrontation with others, primarily the West.
Why is Russia-China cooperation worrying?
Since Chinese publications love op-eds, even Hong Kong-based publications SCMPMessages written by academics from state-run institutions are not common, was a message conveyed. However, the Russian response was swift.
In an op-ed piece written for the Chinese site of Russian media Sputnik, columnist Leonid Kovačich criticized China’s refusal to recognize the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague over its many disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Reminded. The territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, its national security law for Hong Kong, its bypassing of agreements with Britain and others.
Nevertheless, there is an issue raised by Yiwei. This is what perhaps worries Indian observers most – not only the growing closeness between Moscow and Beijing, but also Russia’s increasingly subordinate role in the partnership.
Ultimately, and this may be China’s weakness. China is wary of Russia’s important role in the East and is reluctant to allow Russian intrusion into ASEAN countries and North Korea, even as it seeks to penetrate Russia’s strategic backyard – Central Asia – due to Russia’s engagement with Ukraine. Takes advantage of.
Russian strategic thinkers have acknowledged that China has no interest in Russia’s active participation in organizations such as the recently held Boao Forum or ASEAN where China sees itself as the main driver.
“One might wonder who China is to Russia in the current circumstances: a A friend, an ally, a neutral trading partner, a tough negotiator, an inherent rival? The answer could be – depending on the situation and interests at the given time – China is all of these for Russia at the same time.”
For India, the path is perhaps clear – deepen engagement with Russia as a counterbalance to China.
(Aditi Bhaduri is a journalist and political analyst. She tweets at @aditijan. This is an opinion and the views expressed above are the author’s own.The QuintNeither endorses nor is responsible for it.)
