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Putin's Asian Tour: Reviving Russia's Faded Diplomatic Role and Building a Chinese-Russian Axis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Vladimir V. Putin's visit to Beijing marks the first stop of his Asian tour, aimed at reviving Russia's diplomatic role in the region and building a Chinese-Russian axis to counter American influence. The trip comes at a time when Russia and China describe their relationship as a "strategic partnership" intended to counter American power. Putin is expected to sign at least six accords with Chinese leaders, including a joint statement condemning American missile defense systems over North America and Asia. He will also travel to North Korea, where he will ask the country's leader, Kim Jong Il, to forgo its missile development program.

Key Takeaways:

  • Putin's visit to Beijing marks the 13th visit by a Russian leader since 1991, with a focus on strengthening the "strategic partnership" between Russia and China.
  • The two countries will sign a joint statement condemning American proposals for missile defense systems over North America and Asia.
  • Russia and China aim to counter American power and hegemony, with a focus on building a multi-polar world.
  • Putin will meet with Kim Jong Il in North Korea, where he will ask the country's leader to forgo missile development program.
  • Russia's troubled economy presents a less attractive export market for China, with trade falling short of the targeted $20 billion a year.
  • The two countries are expected to sign deals on natural gas pipelines and nuclear reactors, with Russia's arms industry remaining a key export market for China.
  • China is intent on building a credible threat to Taiwan, with Russia offering the necessary hardware to achieve its goals in the Taiwan Strait.

Statistics:

  • 13 visits by a Russian leader to China since 1991.
  • $20 billion: the targeted trade between Russia and China annually.
  • $6 billion: the actual trade between Russia and China annually.
  • 1996: the year China and Russia agreed on a "strategic partnership" to build a "multi-polar world."
  • 1999: the year NATO bombed Yugoslavia, with Russia and China opposing the action.
  • 2 Russian reactors currently being built at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in eastern China.
  • 1 early-warning radar system canceled by Israel for China, which could be supplied by Russia.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • Shanghai Institute for International Studies
  • George Washington University
  • Brookings Institution
  • The Washington Post

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