Russia and China Strengthen Ties, Casting Doubt on Western Influence

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have strengthened their partnership, with both leaders drawing on a shared view of their countries' roles in World War II to cast their modern-day alliance as a challenge to the West. The two leaders met in Beijing, where they held formal talks, enjoyed afternoon tea, and attended a banquet, marking a significant display of unity between the two nations. As they reinforced their bonds, they also echoed each other's version of World War II and the role their countries played in ending it. This narrative is central to their efforts to promote a shared vision of history and to establish an alternative world order with Beijing and Moscow on top.

Key Takeaways:

• The Russian and Chinese leaders showcased their deepening partnership, with President Putin describing the ties between the two countries as "unprecedented."
• China's leader Xi Jinping signaled that Beijing would continue to align itself closely with Moscow on issues of shared interest, with a focus on promoting a version of World War II that centers the Chinese Communist Party's role in the fight against Japan.
• The two countries have been in sync in depicting history, with both leaders echoing each other's version of World War II and the role their countries played in ending it.
• The meeting between the two leaders came ahead of a military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which is intended as a display of China's military might and expanding global influence.
• Over two dozen leaders are expected to attend the parade, including the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran.
• Mr. Putin praised the role of the Soviet Union and China in ending hostilities in World War II, positioning his war against Ukraine as a similarly righteous and historic battle.
• For Mr. Xi, the wartime depiction is a way to burnish Beijing's image at home as the country's savior and abroad, as a force for stability, as well as to support Chinese territorial claims over Taiwan.
• China has announced it would offer visa-free entry for Russian tourists at least until September 2026, demonstrating the growing closeness between the two nations.
• While the two countries' positions are not perfectly aligned, analysts suggest that China would welcome more diversified gas supplies, rather than increasing purchases of Russian gas.

Statistics:

• The two leaders met ahead of a military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
• Over two dozen leaders are expected to attend the parade.
• Russia's delegation to the meeting included two deputy prime ministers, 10 cabinet ministers, and the heads of Russia's largest companies in oil, gas, arms production, and finance.
• China has announced it would offer visa-free entry for Russian tourists at least until September 2026.
• The Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany is central to Mr. Putin's historical narrative, one that positions his war against Ukraine today as a similarly righteous and historic battle.

Sources:

• "Russia and China Strengthen Ties, Casting Doubt on Western Influence" by The New York Times, 2023.
• "Putin and Xi Praise China-Russia Ties as Alternative to West" by Reuters, 2023.
• "China Offers Visa-Free Entry to Russian Tourists" by Bloomberg, 2023.