Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his visit to Moscow, Russia. Photo: Reuters
Russia romances Southeast Asia with trade and arms, but it’s no match for China
- Russian overtures have been welcomed by Southeast Asia amid trade war uncertainties and disputes in the South China Sea
- But even in embracing Moscow, the countries realise the limits of this courtship, for Russia’s primary relationship in the region is still with China
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Russia
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his visit to Moscow, Russia. Photo: Reuters
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds an AK-47 assault rifle on board the Russian destroyer Admiral Panteleyev in 2017. Photo: Reuters
From Russia with guns: why is Southeast Asia buying arms from Moscow, not Washington?
- Though it lags only the US in global arms sales, Russia is the top supplier to Southeast Asia, with US$6.6 billion sold between 2010 and 2017
- Nations in the region are spending more on defence as a hedge against China’s rise, particularly those involved in disputes in the South China Sea
Topic |
Russia
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte holds an AK-47 assault rifle on board the Russian destroyer Admiral Panteleyev in 2017. Photo: Reuters