It is obvious that the relationship between the Chinese and Russian presidents, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, is special. Fueled by their mutual rivalry with Washington, they visit each other often and do not hesitate to refer to each other as "my dear friend." This Thursday, their bilateral meeting number 39 was no different. There were kind words, images with projection of power -very valuable for the Russian, in serious trouble in the face of the Ukrainian counteroffensive- and negotiations to strengthen their cooperation in the energy or financial field.
In the lead-up, Putin denounced Western attempts to create a "unipolar world," which are "totally unacceptable" and have taken on a "disgusting turn," and praised Beijing's "balanced position" on the conflict. Still, he acknowledged the existence of "questions and concerns" on the Chinese side. "During the meeting, we will explain in detail our position on this matter," Putin added. Perhaps it was a cryptic admission that Beijing does not approve of the invasion or its development? some analysts then wondered.
Beside him, Xi did not make any reference to the alleged concerns he harbors nor did he support or reject Russian policies. Instead, he limited himself to showing his willingness to work with the Kremlin to "support each other" on matters concerning their respective "fundamental interests" and to play a leadership role "in a world in chaos." Declarations of intent that were not accompanied by concrete measures.
The long-awaited meeting took place on the margins of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that started this Thursday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, once the heart of the ancient Silk Road. The body, promoted by Beijing after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, focuses mainly on regional security issues. In addition to Russia and China, its members include several Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the host - Pakistan and India.
The summit came at a sensitive time for both leaders. Putin intends to gather new support at a time when his troops are losing ground in Ukraine and his economy is suffering from international sanctions. For his part, Xi maintains multiple fronts open on behalf of Taiwan, criticism for its abuses of the Uyghur minority or the economic slowdown caused by the confinements due to covid. In addition, his trip, the first since the pandemic began, comes with a month to go before the 20th congress of the Communist Party of China is held. It is assumed that he will then renew his post for an unprecedented third term in recent Chinese history.
The last time Xi and Putin met was on February 4 in Beijing, just before the opening of the Winter Olympics. That day, they signed a statement in which they questioned the current framework of international relations and assured that their friendship "has no limits" or "prohibited" areas of cooperation. Barely three weeks later, Russian troops launched their surprise invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has always maintained that it did not know its plans in advance.
Since then, the Chinese leadership has tried to maintain a delicate balance that does not end up harming its own interests. China acknowledges Moscow's "reasonable concerns" about Ukraine in the face of US and NATO expansion on European soil and refuses to condemn the invasion, which it does not even qualify as such. She also criticizes the sanctions applied by the West, as she believes they harm everyone and delay post-pandemic recovery. And like other Asian countries, it has exponentially increased its purchases of Russian fuel, which it now acquires at a more advantageous price.
But that "limitless" relationship between the two does have borders. Despite the tensions of recent years, China's trade relations with Europe and the US remain much larger than with Russia, and have grown even during the pandemic. Beijing does not want to endanger its economy and development, the vault key of its precious political stability. For this reason, she has so far refrained from military support for her neighbor or from violating Western sanctions, and thus avoid ending up being punished herself. “China is willing to provide tacit political, diplomatic and, to some extent, economic support to Russia. But she will never stray from her path or undermine her strategic goals by supporting her,” analyzed Brian Hart of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Even so, his position continues to be criticized by Washington, which demands that he get more wet and take his side. "We don't think anyone should be left out," White House spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. “The whole world should be aligned against what Putin is doing. This is not the time to carry on as if nothing happened,” he added.
