[Economics] What support is China giving Russia in the war with Ukraine?

[Akrapovic]

In war and in peace, symbols are important.

 

 

So when Russian President Vladimir Putin received the head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi, in Moscow on Wednesday, the two sat on either side of a large oval table where, stretching out their arms a bit, they could have shaken hands. .

This is the same table at which a year ago, before starting the invasion of Ukraine, Putin coldly received Western leaders such as the Frenchman Emmanuel Macron or the German Olaf Scholz, but with a small difference: then they were placed —the placed—at the long ends of the board, several meters away.

China has become a fundamental partner for Russia, especially since the war began.

Beijing has absorbed a large part of Russian hydrocarbon exports, thus softening the impact of Western sanctions on the economy of the Eurasian country and, according to the United States, China is now considering the possibility of sending arms and ammunition to Russia, allegations that the Beijing government flatly denies.

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Wang Yi and Vladimir Putin.
PICTURE SOURCEEPA
Caption,
The same table, two ways of sitting. The head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

At the meeting on Wednesday, both countries have assured that they are ready to deepen strategic cooperation and that they could reach new trade agreements this year.

But what exactly is China looking for from its relationship with Russia? Are you only acting out of commercial interest or is there a political strategy?

region security
"What worries China the most, and they have said it many times, is that the security situation is getting out of control in Eurasia," explains Professor Rasmus Nilsson, from the School of Slavic and Eastern European Studies at University College, to BBC Mundo. of London (UCL).

China shares a long border with Russia, but also with other former Soviet republics whose instability could harm the Asian giant.

Beijing has no interest in the war in Ukraine, says the academic, who recalls that the Chinese government was firmly against it when Putin mentioned at the beginning of the conflict the possibility of using nuclear weapons.

But the alleged neutrality that the Communist Party of China has defended since the start of the war is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

"Xi Jinping's government sees Russia as an enemy in the front line of combat against American influence. A nation that, like North Korea, can be considered an international pariah, but that serves a useful geopolitical purpose," he analyzes. BBC China correspondent Stephen McDonell.

 

link: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-64736001