Staff Writer

Relations between China and Russia have grown increasingly close, with economic and military cooperation at the forefront. Further, both have adopted common stances at international forums, while both seem to have similar ideological views on non-intervention and sovereignty. This is different to the fractious nature of historical relations, especially since the Russian regime previously supported the Kuomintang in its war against Mao Zedong’s Communist Party of China.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Dr Ivan Starodubtsev argued that responding to the US was the main reason informing this warming of ties. He said, “I think mostly they are squeezed by the United States, which does not take into consideration their concern, and doesn’t take any lessons from the history.

Dr Starodubtsev cautioned that although this had precedent during the Cold War, the difference was that there was no real dialogue between the US and the Russia-China alliance- there are no real rules of engagement. Dr Starodubtsev also noted that the US is concerned by this, but that Washington has no real new proposal to contain the issue.

It is noteworthy that Russia and China share a 4000 km border, which naturally enhances their cooperation, especially since they perceive common threats.