China and Russia continue to strengthen their relationship

By Rhod Mackenzie

The partnership between Russia and China aims to merge their economic development priorities with protection from growing Western pressure. This trend is expected to continue in 2024. According to Alexander Lomanov, a Sinologist and head of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies at IMEMO RAS, this partnership and the stability of relations between the two countries are contributing to the emergence of new centers of power in the world.

“Russian-Chinese cooperation enables both countries to safeguard their interests and mitigate the adverse military, political, and economic effects of growing Western pressure. This interaction enhances the political stability of Russia and China, reinforces their security, and crucially, promotes economic growth,” according to Lomanov. This interaction enhances the political stability of Russia and China, reinforces their security, and crucially, promotes economic growth,” according to Lomanov.

According to him, both countries are currently striving to balance economic development priorities with national security concerns. This approach undermines Western pressure.

The sinologist noted that Moscow and Beijing are successfully advancing the modernization of new technologies for infrastructure development while considering national security.

Lomanov emphasized that the stability of these two countries lies in their ability to resist external pressure and prevent social and inter-ethnic conflicts, which is crucial for their economic development. This ability is the first step towards the emergence of new global power centres.
In December, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing and stated that the interaction between Moscow and Beijing is a strategic choice based on the fundamental interests of both countries. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the political mutual trust that has developed between the two states.

The joint statement issued by Russia and China after the ninth Chinese-Russian financial dialogue in December 2023 in Beijing stated that the two countries plan to further enhance their mutually beneficial cooperation in various formats amidst the global economic instability and Western sanctions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Moscow is ready to fully cooperate with Beijing. Both the Russian Federation and China are considering the prospects and future world order, and moving away from the 'buy and sell' model in their bilateral relations.