China, Russia to stand ‘back to back’ as tensions with US rise, observers say
- Neighbours will look to cement ties so they can ‘jointly respond to the shift in US policy towards’ them, academic says
- Foreign ministers Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov will ‘share opinions on international and regional issues of common concern’ when they meet in Beijing on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman says
China and Russia will look to nurture a “back to back” and “shoulder to shoulder” relationship when their foreign ministers meet next week against a backdrop of rising mutual tensions with the United States, observers say.
Zhu Feng, an international relations professor at Nanjing University, said that as China’s relationship with the US had soured – as had Russia’s – Beijing would seek to reinforce its ties with its giant neighbour to the north.
“Of course China will look to strengthen strategic cooperation with Russia, [so they can] jointly respond to the shift in US policy towards the two countries,” he said.
Russia responded by summoning its ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, home to Moscow for “consultations” on what should be done with regards to Moscow’s relations with Washington.
“In the context of the Biden administration’s strategic pressure on Russia being far stronger than it was under the Trump administration, improving China-Russia relations is one of the few strategic choices for the Kremlin,” Zhu said.