Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
In recent years, the Sino-Russia growing alliance has sparked widespread debate about the fading façade of Western hegemony. Once divided by ideological differences during the Cold War, Russia, and China have started to find common ground in countering Western influence and pursuing their geopolitical objectives. This strategic partnership is often perceived through the lens of multidimensional cooperation that has evolved into a formidable counterweight to Western policies, particularly those of the US.
Historical Context and the Foundation of Sino-Russian Relations
Sino-Russia bilateral relationship has gone through significant transformations over the years. During the Cold War, though both nations were part of the communist bloc, but the border disputes and ideological differences eventually drove them apart. The Sino-Soviet split of the 1960s marked a period of massive hostility between the two powers, with China even aligning with the US courtesy of the diplomatic role played by Pakistan in the 1970s to counter Soviet influence. However, by the end of the Cold War characterized by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, China and the newly-formed Russian Federation began to rebuild their strategic relationship.
By the late 1990s, shared interests in regional security and economic cooperation began to form the basis of a strategic partnership. This relationship has continued to strengthen, with the two nations finding common ground in areas such as military collaboration, energy cooperation, and joint opposition to Western dominance in various areas of global affairs. The turning point for Sino-Russian relations came with the rise of Xi Jinping in China and Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of power in Russia. Both leaders of the respective countries have sought to challenge the post-Cold War unipolar world dominated by the West in general and the US in particular.
Strategic Drivers Behind the Sino-Russian Alliance
There are several important drivers behind the burgeoning alliance between Russia and China, all of which reflect a shared common interest in counterbalancing Western influence.
Geopolitical Objectives and Opposition to Western Influence: Both Russia and China have a vested interest in resisting the Western-led liberal world order. For Russia, this opposition is rooted in its desire to reassert and resurge itself as a major global power and challenge the eastward expansion of NATO. Putin’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia’s subsequent military intervention in Syria in 2015, and invasion of Ukraine in 2022 were clear indications of Moscow’s intention to reclaim influence in its backyard and beyond. These aggressive actions drew widespread condemnation and economic sanctions from the West, subsequently pushing Russia further into China’s orbit. China, on the other hand, is focused on asserting its dominance in Asia, with particular attention to nurturing its influence in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing has also grown increasingly assertive in challenging the US presence in the Asia-Pacific region, seeking to shift the balance of power in its favor. The US’s containment strategy, including military alliances with South Korea, Japan, and Australia, and initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), have driven China to seek strategic partnerships, with Russia being a natural ally.
Economic Complementarity: Russia and China have developed an inclusive economic relationship that complements their geopolitical alignment. Russia is a major supplier of natural resources, including hydrocarbon, while China is the largest energy consumer in the world. In the face of Western sanctions, particularly Russia’s annexation policy in its backyard, Moscow has increasingly turned to China as an alternative market. The Power of Siberia pipeline, which began supplying gas from Russia to China in 2019, symbolizes the deepening energy cooperation between the two nations. Trade between Russia and China has also expanded significantly. According to the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace, bilateral trade reached a record high of $270 billion, with both nations seeking to increase it further. China has also become Russia’s largest trading partner, while Russia is an important supplier of energy and raw materials to China. This economic interdependence has strengthened the bilateral alliance, enabling both countries to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions.
Military Cooperation: Military collaboration between Russia and China has become increasingly prominent, marked by arms sales, joint military exercises, and defense technology sharing. Both nations regularly conduct joint exercises, such as the Zapad and Vostok exercises, which serve as demonstrations of their military capabilities and solidarity against Western alliances like NATO. Russia has also been an important supplier of advanced military hardware to China, including missile systems, fighter jets, and naval technology. For instance, the S-400 air defense system, which Russia sold to China, has enhanced Beijing’s overall ability to defend its airspace against potential US threats. Furthermore, both nations have also emphasized the development of cutting-edge military technologies, such as artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons, in their efforts to keep pace with Western advancements in defense.
Shared Authoritarianism and Domestic Stability: Both Russia and China have an authoritarian style of governance that prioritizes regime stability and control over political dissent. Their domestic policies, particularly in terms of human rights, are starkly opposed to the liberal democratic norms championed by the West. Beijing’s handling of the Hong Kong protests, its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, and its increasing surveillance of its citizens reflect its desire to maintain internal stability at all costs. Similarly, Russia’s crackdown on political opposition, most notably the imprisonment and later death of Alexei Navalny on February 16, 2024, and the suppression of civil society groups reveal a similar approach to domestic governance. This shared commitment to authoritarian governance binds both China and Russia together in their resistance to Western pressure, particularly on issues related to human rights. Both nations also reject what they see as Western interference in their internal affairs, and their alliance serves as a bulwark against international criticism.
Implications for Global Politics and Western Strategy
The Sino-Russian alliance poses significant challenges for Western powers including European Union in general and the US in particular. It also signals the emergence of a multipolar world where non-Western powers including China, Russia, and India have greater influence in shaping global affairs. The West’s efforts to isolate Russia through economic sanctions have inadvertently pushed Moscow closer to Beijing, creating a powerful bloc that can undermine Western influence in regions like the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.
The partnership between Russia and China also complicates the US’s efforts to counter Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. With Russia providing military support and energy resources to China, Beijing is better positioned to challenge US dominance in the region. This strategic alliance also strengthens China’s hand in its efforts to achieve reunification with Taiwan, as Russia’s backing provides military and diplomatic support in the face of Western opposition.
Moreover, the Sino-Russian alliance has broader implications for the future of global governance. Both nations have been vocal critics of Western-dominated institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. By promoting alternative institutions, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS grouping, China and Russia are working to reshape the global order in ways that reflect their interests and diminish Western influence.
