China, Russia must allay fears over warming ties
China's burgeoning relationship with Russia is based on economic, energy and military considerations, but there is also a geopolitical dimension that is troubling for some nations, the US among them. Beijing needs to take this into consideration when furthering its co-operation so as not to cause undue tensions.
Ties between China and Russia have led to friction with Washington several times in recent months. As the sides grow closer, the possibility of greater suspicion, and as a result the opportunity for misunderstanding, will increase.
No government would want a reoccurrence of the cold war, when rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union and their allies took the world to the brink of nuclear conflict. For this reason, openness and careful evaluation of decisions has to be foremost as China and Russia continue to build their partnership. The matter is not only one for Beijing and Moscow; Washington's actions in its 'war on terrorism' have fuelled concern and US President George W. Bush has to be just as judicious about his future foreign policy decisions.
Of most worry is Iran, a key partner of China and Russia, which is engaged in a war of rhetoric with the US. Nowhere is there a greater need for a cooling of heels. Accused by the Bush administration of trying to develop nuclear weapons, supporting insurgents in Iraq and funding anti-Israel extremists in the Middle East, Tehran has been the subject of UN sanctions and repeated western calls for compliance with international treaties. China and Russia have been less enthusiastic about acting against an ally, using the threat of exercising their UN Security Council veto powers to have punitive measures watered down.
Given that Iran has ignored the sanctions and International Atomic Energy Agency demands over its nuclear programme, Beijing and Moscow leave themselves open to allegations of putting self interest ahead of global good. The same could be said over their joining forces last month to veto a US-drafted Security Council resolution that would have demanded Myanmar's military regime end political and human rights repression. China is Myanmar's staunchest ally.
President Hu Jintao met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, three times last year - more than any other foreign leader - and will hold more talks during Russia's Year of China, which begins today. Premier Wen Jiabao will also go to Moscow. Arms sales will continue growing, as will co-operation on military, space and technology matters.
There is nothing wrong with neighbours, especially ones as large and important as China and Russia, having such relations. To allay concerns from the US and its allies, though, they should consider the implications of their decisions so as to make sure the world is not taken down the path towards another cold war.
