China Support for Russia Has Limits

At first glance, China’s president Xi Jinping appears to be Vladimir Putin’s insurance card at an especially troubling time for Russia geopolitically. The two strongmen have met each other more than three dozen times since 2013, with the latest confab ending in a 5,000-word joint declaration lauding the Russia–China relationship as a counterbalance to what they label as U.S. “hegemony.”

However, Russia’s four-month-old war in Ukraine is adding some tremors to the so-called no limits partnership. There’s no dispute that China has supported Moscow in the court of international public opinion, is staunchly opposed to U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia, and has blamed NATO for instigating the war. But it’s also indisputable that Beijing is cautious about how much support it provides to the Russians. Xi may look up to Putin as the quintessential leader, but he isn’t willing to undermine China’s own strategic interests to bail out his Russian friend.

About the Author

Daniel R. DePetris

Daniel R. DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a syndicated foreign affairs columnist at the Chicago Tribune.

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At first glance, China’s president Xi Jinping appears to be Vladimir Putin’s insurance card at an especially troubling time for Russia geopolitically. The two strongmen have met each other more than three dozen times since 2013, with the latest confab ending in a 5,000-word joint declaration lauding the Russia–China relationship as a counterbalance to what they label as U.S. “hegemony.”

However, Russia’s four-month-old war in Ukraine is adding some tremors to the so-called no limits partnership. There’s no dispute that China has supported Moscow in the court of international public opinion, is staunchly opposed to U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia, and has blamed NATO for instigating the war. But it’s also indisputable that Beijing is cautious about how much support it provides to the Russians. Xi may look up to Putin as the quintessential leader, but he isn’t willing to undermine China’s own strategic interests to bail out his Russian friend.