New media: Russia and China are dancing together, and the United States is becoming more and more anxious

Source: Global Times

Singapore's "Straits Times" June 7 article, original title: Russia and China dance together, the United States is increasingly anxious In recent months, the relationship between China and Russia has become closer and closer, and cooperation has deepened in the face of increasing pressure from Western countries.

The increasingly close relations between China and Russia have attracted attention. Washington's annual assessment of the global threat released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in April noted that China and Russia are "growing in strategic cooperation."

Rafiro Pantuzi, a senior fellow at nanyang technological university's Rajalenan Institute of International Studies, said there had been a "noticeable shift" in relations between Beijing and Moscow. "Both countries are currently in a confrontation with the West, and the rift between them is much smaller than ever." Other experts pointed out that the complementarity of China and Russia is one reason for the growing relationship between the two sides. For example, China's demand for resources is in line with Russia's vast energy reserves. Energy accounts for more than 70% of Russia's exports to China.

In terms of trade, bilateral trade between China and Russia totaled about $100 billion last year, down slightly from 2019, but has been rising significantly this year. Trade in the first four months reached $40.207 billion, nearly 20 percent higher than the same period last year. The two countries plan to reach a $200 billion trade target by 2024. Military exchanges and cooperation in the field of space between China and Russia are also expanding.

The close relationship raises a long-standing question – should Beijing and Moscow become formal allies? Russian President Vladimir Putin said in October 2019 that this is theoretically possible. Beijing has repeatedly said that Sino-Russian strategic cooperation "has no restrictions, no forbidden areas, no upper limits."

Some Chinese scholars argue that, given the "high degree of confrontation" with the United States, Beijing should form a formal alliance with Moscow. However, the prevailing view is that China should be more cautious and balance its relations with Russia and the United States.

Just as Beijing does not want a conflict with NATO over Ukraine or Crimea, Russia does not want to be involved in the South China Sea.

As the competition between the three superpowers continues, all eyes are on how this new great game unfolds. (Author Danson Cheong, translated by Chen Jun'an)