FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 15, 2024
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org
WASHINGTON, DC—Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China on Thursday. Defense Priorities Director of Asia Engagement Lyle Goldstein issued the following statement in response:
“Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Beijing underlines growing cooperation between the Eurasian giants that may be termed as the China-Russia ‘quasi-alliance.’
“This trip seems designed for Putin to signal the importance of the Russia-China partnership, and he is sure to express gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for Beijing’s support during wartime, including in sending sub-components for weapons and making large energy purchases that help maintain Russia’s finances. The strategic utility of the partnership benefits both Moscow and Beijing. While not outright condoning Russia’s annexations in Ukraine and refusing to send either weapons or munitions, China’s leaders tend to view Russia’s war as part of a struggle against U.S. hegemony.
“Increasing cooperation between Russia and China, as well as closer relations with other authoritarian states, like Iran and North Korea, is something worth watching closely. But it is important not to overstate the challenge they pose to U.S. interests. While there are some signs of coordination among these disparate states, there is nothing yet resembling a close-knit formal alliance, and each of them faces daunting internal challenges. Beijing, in particular, recognizes that orchestrating a military bloc to counter America’s many alliances would prove counterproductive, endangering China’s future prosperity and security.
“With heavy support for Ukraine and Taiwan, Washington inadvertently encourages Russia and China to contemplate such an unpalatable alignment. The best way to counter this threat is employing a strategy of restraint. That means pushing allies and partners in Asia and Europe to take on greater responsibility for their own defense, and that of their neighbors. Above all, it means avoiding continually ‘going abroad in search of monsters to destroy,’ with excessive military interventions and posturing, which encourage rivals to more energetically balance U.S. power.”
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