OpinionRussia is no friend to China. In fact, Xi’s friendship with Putin is a betrayal of the Chinese people

Russia has little to offer China, other than a means to antagonise the US. Xi’s courtship of Moscow makes no sense because it ignores the animosity that has defined Sino-Russian relations since the Treaty of Nerchinsk in the 17th century

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Published: 3:00am, 10 Dec 2019Updated: 10:26pm, 10 Dec 2019

Russia and China last week celebrated the launch of the ambitious “Power of Siberia” pipeline. The project, which spans 2,900km (1,800 miles) and cost US$55 billion, is symbolic of the strengthening relationship between the two countries and their respective leaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded the pipeline as a “genuinely historic event”, while Chinese President Xi Jinping called it “the start of a new stage of our cooperation”, further claiming that “developing Russia-China relations is and will be a priority in our countries’ foreign policy”.

The relationship will be further strengthened when the two nations take part in a month-long military exercise in the Indian Ocean later this month.

Early this summer, while leaders of the Allied nations were commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing in France, Xi travelled to Moscow to meet Putin.

The two leaders agreed to increase military and economic cooperation. Xi heaped praise on the Sino-Russia relationship, even referring to Putin as his “best friend”.