This alliance was crystallized for its first building block, when Presidents Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed, on Friday, during a summit on the sidelines of the opening of the 24th Winter Olympics in Beijing, a joint document under the slogan “International Relations Entering a New Era and in the name of the “Joint Declaration on the Entry of International Relations into a New Era.” and sustainable development”.
A document of 31 items
The document, consisting of 31 articles, affirmed the two countries’ support for the formation of a new type of relationship between world powers on the basis of respect and peaceful coexistence, and resolutely adherence to the sanctity of the results of World War II and the existing post-war world order.
In its security aspect, the document said that the two countries insist on the need for the United States to quickly remove its stockpiles of chemical weapons, and to stop the “negative interventions” of the United States in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
They expressed their concern over Washington’s plans to develop the global missile defense system and deploy medium and short-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, expressing Moscow and Beijing’s concern about the “Ocos” alliance as it increases the risk of an arms race in the region and creates risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons.
During the document, Russia and China expressed their opposition to the continued expansion of NATO, and urged the alliance countries to “abandon the ideological approaches of the Cold War era, and respect the sovereignty, security and interests of other countries.”
The joint declaration also called on all nuclear powers to “abandon the Cold War mentality”, reduce reliance on their nuclear arsenal in their security policies, and withdraw all their nuclear weapons deployed outside their borders.
Commenting, the expert on Russian affairs, Nabil Rashwan, said, in exclusive statements to “Sky News Arabia”, that “the West is escalating the crisis between Moscow and Kiev, and at the same time confirms that it does not intend to intervene in a war that may break out between Russia and Ukraine, which is a malicious call to implicate Moscow, but It is difficult for Russia to be dragged into that adventure.”
He believes that what is happening in Western skirmishes with Russia is an “attempt to drag the Russians into a military intervention in Ukraine and drain it, like the Afghanistan scenario.”
Old traditions and friendship
Relations between China and Russia improved greatly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the Russian Federation in 1991.
The actual rapprochement began in 1992, when they announced that they were seeking a constructive partnership, and in 1996, they progressed towards a “strategic partnership”; until 2001, they signed a treaty of “friendship and cooperation”.
The two countries share a long land border that was established in 1991 and signed the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation in 2001.
While the two countries enjoy a military, economic, and political partnership, they share the same position and support each other on several global issues, as well as opposing the foreign policy of the United States.
During the first direct meeting since the beginning of the Corona pandemic with his Chinese counterpart, Putin said that relations between Russia and China have acquired an unprecedented character, each supporting the development and development of the other, adding that “the two countries are neighbors united by ancient traditions of friendship and trust.”
The Russian president added that the relations between Russia and China are a good example of building worthwhile bilateral relations, gradually developing in the spirit of friendship and strategic partnership.
For his part, Jinping replied that China and Russia firmly support efforts to safeguard their major interests in the world.
He added that the political and strategic mutual trust between Beijing and Moscow continues to grow and develop, and that the two countries are working together to implement true pluralism and serve as a pillar to unite the world in overcoming its crises.
Reply to the West
The Russian-Chinese rapprochement comes as a response to Western measures and attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of Russia and China, which has deepened the bonds of cooperation between the two countries, according to analysts.
According to experts, the policy of the United States and its allies pushed the two neighboring countries to this rapprochement, as they have been conducting joint military exercises since 2012, as well as economic rapprochement and coordination of political positions on various international issues.
During the period from January 2021 to November 2021, the proportion of trade exchange between the two countries increased by 31% to reach $123 billion, and the two countries aim to raise it to $200 billion, according to the Kremlin.
Here, an expert on Russian affairs, Nikolai Mezhevich, says that China’s interest in developing economic relations with Russia is primarily caused by the flow of Russian energy resources.
And he adds, “Several infrastructure projects are already being implemented between the two neighbors, including the “Power of Siberia” pipeline through Mongolia, and the construction of this line will make it possible to solve a number of political problems,” according to the Russian Sputnik agency.
new cold war
And the Russian-Chinese rapprochement indicates – according to experts – the return of the Cold War again and is a new chapter in the conflict extending between the poles of the world, in light of Western skirmishes with Russia over Ukraine.
Here, Mohamed Hamed, head of the Middle East Studies Forum, says that “what is happening in the Russian-Chinese rapprochement confirms the return of the Cold War again, and it will continue for a long time.”
He added, in exclusive statements to “Sky News Arabia”: “Europe feels threatened after Putin mobilized thousands of soldiers on the borders of Ukraine, and there are real fears of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which raises the fears of several Asian powers such as Japan, South Korea and Western countries such as America and NATO. “.
Hamid believes that “the Ukrainian arena has become a real test ground for the Russian side, as it is a more important test ground for the Western side.”
US warning to China
In the first reaction to the Russian-Chinese document, Washington warned Beijing that the outbreak of a destabilizing conflict in Europe “would harm China’s interests in the whole world.”
“We have special relations with China as per President Biden’s vision,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday, commenting on the meeting between Putin and Jinping.
And she added that US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and assured him of “the global risks to security and the economy posed by any Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Blinken also indicated to his Chinese counterpart that “de-escalation and diplomacy represent a responsible way forward,” according to Saki.
And she added, “China must certainly understand this, and there is no doubt that we have our own relations with China and communicate directly at a very high level, and at the present time we are seeking to unite efforts to respond decisively to Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.”