Amid ongoing international isolation since the start of the war in Ukraine two years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China to meet with his Chinese counterpart. He is seeking greater support for his war efforts in Ukraine. This is Putin’s first foreign trip since being re-elected as president in March and his second visit to China in just over six months. The Asian giant is a vital economic lifeline for Russia, which is suffering from Western sanctions imposed due to its military aggression in Ukraine.
After recently returning from a tour to France, Serbia, and Hungary, Xi Jinping defended the right to maintain normal economic relations with neighboring Russia. China particularly benefits from cheap Russian energy imports. Early in 2022, just before the invasion of Ukraine, the two countries celebrated a bilateral partnership described as “unlimited.”
During the bilateral meeting, The Wall Street Journal reported that Putin portrayed himself and the Chinese leader as defenders of global stability and equality among nations against Western dominance. The newspaper noted that this visit also allows Putin to demonstrate to the Russian people that he still has strong allies, a message frequently emphasized by state media. Speaking with Xi in front of reporters before their talks, Putin said, „our cooperation in global affairs today is one of the main factors of stability on the international stage. Together, we support the principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects the multipolar realities underpinning international law.“ The Wall Street Journal noted that this growth has slowed in recent months, but experts say significant quantities are moving through third countries in Central Asia, such as Kyrgyzstan.
According to The Wall Street Journal, for Chinese leader Xi, Putin is a useful partner in opposing the US-dominated world order. However, the relationship also poses a burden for China, as US and European officials warn Beijing against aiding Russia in its efforts to rebuild its military. The United States has accused China of helping Putin rebuild his army, supplying chips used in advanced weapons, aircraft parts, drone engines, and ground vehicle engines. China denies supplying any weapons to Russia and says it closely monitors so-called „dual-use“ equipment, which can have both civilian and military applications. While the US has sanctioned Chinese companies for providing military technologies like chips to Russia, it has so far refrained from imposing sanctions that would isolate Chinese banks from the global financial system, a move that could have wide-ranging economic impacts.
According to The New York Times, relations between the two countries have deepened during the war, with trade growing by more than 26 percent in 2023 to over $240 billion, an increase of more than 60 percent from pre-war levels. China accounts for 30 percent of Russia’s exports and nearly 40 percent of its imports. The newspaper highlighted Chinese influence on many aspects of Russian life, noting that before the war, Russia’s trade with the European Union was twice that with China; now, it is less than half. The Chinese Yuan, rather than the US-Dollar or Euro, has become the main currency used in trade between the two countries, making it the most traded currency on the Moscow Exchange and the preferred saving instrument. This economic reliance permeates daily life, with Chinese products ubiquitous. Over half a million cars sold in Russia last year were made in China. The top six foreign car brands in Russia are now all Chinese, following the departure of previously dominant Western companies. Similarly, in the smartphone market, Chinese companies Xiaomi and Tecno have surpassed Apple and Samsung, and in home appliances and many other everyday items.
Regarding military support, senior US officials told Reuters that China is supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine by helping Moscow increase its defense production through large quantities of machine tools, microelectronics, drone technology, and cruise missiles. The officials said President Joe Biden raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping in their recent phone call and that it is a topic of discussion with US allies in Europe and around the world. They stated, „Chinese materials are filling critical gaps in Russia’s defense production cycle and helping Moscow undertake the most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era on a faster timeline than we believed possible early in this conflict. Our view is that one of the most game-changing moves available to us right now to support Ukraine is convincing China to stop helping Russia rebuild its military-industrial base. Moscow would struggle to continue its war efforts without Beijing.“
The officials indicated that the Russians have likely used imports of machine tools from China to increase ballistic missile production. They pointed to Dalian Machine Tool Group, one of China’s leading machine tool manufacturers, as a supplier to Russia. They noted that in 2023, 90% of Russia’s microelectronics imports came from China, which Russia used to produce missiles, tanks, and aircraft. The US Politico reported that China has sent enough military equipment to Russia to „equip an army“ through a loophole in Western sanctions imposed after the war in Ukraine began. The newspaper based its information on customs records, showing that Chinese manufacturers provide large amounts of military aid to Russia, including drones, protective gear, and thermal imaging devices for nighttime target detection. China uses the loophole that these items can be used for civilian, not just military, purposes to avoid confrontation with the West.
Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in late February 2022, Putin’s foreign visits have become very rare, especially after the International Criminal Court issued an international arrest warrant for him in March 2023. The court issued the warrant accusing Putin of war crimes due to the „unlawful deportation“ of thousands of Ukrainian children. Putin has reduced his international trips, missing the recent G20 and BRICS summits. However, he visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in early December. In October, he visited China on the sidelines of the New Silk Road Forum. A few days earlier, he visited Kyrgyzstan, Moscow’s ally, in his first trip abroad since the international arrest warrant was issued against him.
This visit clearly demonstrates Putin’s strong desire to secure necessary Chinese support to continue the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially with the new ground offensive in several regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv. He is keen to supply his country with essential weapons and drones. Additionally, Putin aims to showcase his popularity and international relationships following the conclusion of the presidential election marathon in Russia.
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