When President Hu Jintao met his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, late last month in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the Chinese leader emphasised that the two countries' 'partnership of strategic co-operation' had been developing soundly. The Russian leader briefed him on the issue of South Ossetia and Abkhazia - regions of Georgia bordering the Russian Federation to which Moscow had sent troops and which Russia subsequently recognised as independent states. Significantly, Mr Hu did not support Russia's actions.
Ever since Georgia regained its independence in 1991, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the country has been beset by secessionist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The latter region held an independence referendum in 1992, but the majority vote to join Russia was not recognised by the international community.
A second referendum was held in November 2006, and an overwhelming majority endorsed independence. But, again, it was not recognised by the UN. Last month, following Georgia's decision to squash the independence movement with force, Russian troops were despatched to oust Georgian soldiers.
Clearly, despite the Sino-Russian strategic partnership, the two countries did not see eye to eye on the issue. China is particularly sensitive on issues where regions break off and claim to be independent states. Nor does Beijing want to risk its relationship with the US and the European Union by supporting Russia in this case. US Vice-President Dick Cheney has reassured Georgia that Washington backs its bid to join Nato.
When Russia brought the issue up in the UN Security Council, China maintained a studied silence. It did not join western countries in condemning Russia but, at the same time, it did not criticise Georgia for triggering the series of events by resorting to the use of force. Although China and Georgia enjoy diplomatic relations, Beijing has not spoken up in defence of Georgia's sovereignty, violated by the entry of Russian troops.
While Beijing generally takes a strong stand on sovereignty, in Georgia's case it also takes into consideration historical factors, such as the fact that Georgia used to be part of the Soviet Union. Thus, if the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia now wish to resume an association with Russia - not simply independence from Georgia - Beijing may see it in a different light. In any event, Beijing has long been suspicious of the pro-western, English-speaking Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, who was catapulted into power by the 2003 Rose Revolution, which China believes was orchestrated by the US. Georgia has also indicated its desire to join the European Union, as well as Nato.
