Opinion | China and Russia cement their bond as Xi and Putin take a stance against US dominance
- In a joint statement released after their recent summit, the two leaders outlined new energy and space deals and promised mutual support over regional disputes
- In particular, they were united in their criticism of the US and its allies, revealing coordinated security interests in Europe and the Asia-Pacific
Most importantly, Moscow and Beijing have formally consolidated their official positions on a wide range of global affairs, which had previously only been stated orally or were scattered across multiple documents. They now present a cohesive interpretation of the new state of international relations, in which the two countries declare an open revolt against the US-led world order.
They are rebelling against the “minority [of states that] … advocate unilateral approaches to … international issues”, interfering in the domestic concerns of other states “against the opposition from the international community”.
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Xi meets with Putin ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony
By suggesting there is a minority (that is, implying the US and its allies) challenging the rest of international community, Russia and China are dividing the global landscape into two rival camps.