Beijing Seeks to Play ‘Robust,’ ‘Mutually Beneficial’ Relationship With Russia to Its Advantage, Panelists Say
Beijing has walked a fine line since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago, refusing to condemn the invasion unequivocally while engaging in introspection over its stance on the war and looking for ways to consolidate its position as the more senior, or dominant, partner in a mutually beneficial China-Russia relationship.
While Beijing may not unequivocally condemn Vladimir Putin for his aggression against Ukraine, Chinese leaders are concerned about how small and emerging nations view China and so have their own geostrategic reasons not to commit to Putin’s victory. They seek to stay on Putin’s good side while quietly strengthening their own hand in other parts of the world….