What does Putin have to offer China that makes it worth alienating the US and the EU? | DW News

Summary

The video script discusses the increasingly complex relationship between China and the United States, highlighting it as a defining aspect of the 21st century. It covers various tensions, including trade, human rights, and Taiwan. China's alignment with Russia, especially post-Ukraine war, is examined, suggesting a strategic partnership against the US. The script also delves into China's ambitions to play a significant role in global affairs, like mediating in international crises. Despite claiming neutrality, China's actions raise suspicions, especially with its support for Russia, affecting its trustworthiness on the global stage.

Takeaways

• 👉 China's relationship with the United States is considered a defining factor of the 21st century, with current tensions over trade, human rights, spying, and Taiwan.
• 👉 China's National People's Congress showcased the country's ambitions on the global stage, emphasizing a desire to increase its diplomatic influence.
• 👉 The foreign minister accused the U.S. of trying to suppress China and stir trouble in Taiwan, while also defending Beijing's close ties with Moscow.
• 👉 Since the Ukraine war's start, China and Russia have deepened their partnership, positioning themselves as counterweights to the U.S.
• 👉 China aims to play a more significant role in international crises, offering to mediate in conflicts like the Ukraine war, despite not condemning the invasion.
• 👉 The relationship between China and Russia is described as having 'no limits,' including cooperation in military technology and space exploration.
• 👉 Russian imports from China increased significantly post-Ukraine invasion, hinting at a strategic alignment against Western sanctions.
• 👉 China and Russia plan to collaborate on establishing a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035, highlighting their broad cooperation spectrum.
• 👉 Beijing's stance is criticized for being pro-Moscow, as it refuses to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, raising skepticism about its neutrality.
• 👉 The strategic partnership between China and Russia, described as the 'Dragonbear,' seeks to create a geopolitical and geoeconomic counterweight to the West.

Q & A

What has been a major factor straining the relationship between China and the United States?

Relations between China and the United States have been strained due to issues including trade, human rights, spying allegations, and Taiwan.

How has China's foreign policy stance towards Taiwan been characterized by its foreign minister?

China's foreign minister suggested that the United States was trying to suppress China and stir up trouble in Taiwan.

What was the nature of the relationship between China and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and how has it evolved with Russia?

During the Cold War, Soviet Russia and communist China were at odds, but their relationship has significantly improved, especially since the start of the Ukraine war, forging deeper ties and positioning themselves as geopolitical counterweights to the US.

What role does China seek in international affairs, according to the national people's Congress?

China seeks to play a bigger role in mediating international crises, including the Ukraine war, matching its growing economic strength with diplomatic muscle.

What is China's stance on the Ukraine war?

China claims to hold a neutral stand and acts as an honest broker in the Ukraine war, despite refusing to condemn the invasion and being perceived as using the conflict for its own economic and geopolitical purposes.

How did Russian imports from China change after the start of the Ukraine war?

Russian imports from China were up 65% on pre-war levels, indicating a significant increase in economic interactions between the two countries.

What significant space collaboration is planned between China and Russia?

China and Russia are working on plans to deliver and install a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035.

What new paradigm of major power relations did China's foreign minister refer to?

The new paradigm referred to by China's foreign minister is based on historic friendship between China and Russia, emphasizing non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party.

How does China view its relationship with Russia in the context of global geopolitics?

China views its deepening relationship with Russia as a strategic coordination to create a geopolitical and geoeconomic counterweight to the West, involving cooperation in commodities, energy, military, and space domains.

What are the potential implications of China and Russia's partnership for the Indo-Pacific region?

The partnership between China and Russia could lead to more military tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly involving North Korea and affecting the China Sea and the Strait of Taiwan.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 U.S.-China Relations and Global Dynamics

This segment discusses the complex and strained relations between the United States and China, highlighting issues such as trade disputes, human rights concerns, and tensions over Taiwan. China's Foreign Minister accuses the U.S. of trying to suppress China and stir trouble in Taiwan, while defending Beijing's close ties with Moscow. The narrative delves into the deepening relationship between China and Russia, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict, positioning them as counterweights to U.S. influence. China's role on the global stage is emphasized, with its efforts to mediate international crises, particularly the Ukraine war, despite its refusal to condemn the invasion. The segment also touches on China's economic and technological ambitions, its outreach for a political settlement in Ukraine, and its long-term strategic partnership with Russia, including plans for nuclear power on the Moon.

05:02

🤝 Evolving Sino-Russian Relations

This part explores the changing dynamics of Sino-Russian relations since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, illustrating a strategic coordination that spans various domains, including military and space. The term 'Dragon bear' encapsulates this deepening alliance, which is not formal but represents a significant shift in global geopolitics, aiming to create a counterbalance to Western influence. Despite claims of a 'no-limits' partnership, it's suggested that China might have been unaware of Russia's full intentions in Ukraine. The analysis posits that Russia's aggressive actions have inadvertently hastened a new Cold War, with China and Russia on one side, and the U.S. and its allies on the other. The segment also considers China's strategic interests, including preventing a Russian pivot towards the West and leveraging Russia for resources and Arctic access, which aligns with China's broader geopolitical goals.

10:03

🙏 Closing Remarks

The final part is a brief conclusion with a formal expression of gratitude from the host towards the guest, signifying the end of the discussion.

Keywords

💡Sino-Russian Relations

Sino-Russian relations refer to the diplomatic, economic, and military interactions between China and Russia. In the context of the video, these relations have strengthened significantly, especially since the onset of the Ukraine war. This deepening partnership is presented as a strategic alignment against the backdrop of perceived Western opposition, particularly from the United States. China and Russia are seen as forming a geopolitical counterweight to the US, with collaborations extending from economic agreements to military and space technology cooperation, including joint plans for a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035.

💡National People's Congress

The National People's Congress (NPC) is described in the video as China's 'rubber-stamp' parliament, emphasizing its role in endorsing decisions already made by the Communist Party leaders rather than serving as a deliberative legislative body. The NPC's meetings are used by China to project its international image and assert its rising global role, aligning with the country's ambitions to match its economic growth with diplomatic and military influence.

💡New World Order

The concept of a 'New World Order' in the video hints at the changing dynamics of global power structures, with China seeking to establish a multipolar world as opposed to the current US-led hegemony. This involves China's efforts to mediate in international crises like the Ukraine war, although its neutrality is questioned due to its refusal to condemn Russia's actions and the perceived pro-Moscow stance of its peace proposal.

💡Geopolitical Counterweights

Geopolitical counterweights refer to nations or alliances that balance or challenge the dominance of other global powers. The video discusses how China and Russia are positioning themselves as counterweights to the US, seeking to alter the balance of power in the international system. This is evidenced by their deepening ties across various domains, including military and space, as well as their shared vision for a new paradigm of major power relations that emphasizes non-alignment and non-confrontation.

💡Economic Sanctions

Economic sanctions are penalties applied by one country or group of countries on another for various reasons, including to coerce changes in policy or punish certain actions. The video mentions China reportedly channeling key defense technology to Russia, circumventing sanctions imposed by the West due to the Ukraine conflict. This demonstrates the complexities of international relations and the lengths to which countries will go to support allies and further their strategic interests.

💡Dragon Bear

The term 'Dragon Bear' was coined to describe the strategic coordination between China (the 'Dragon') and Russia (the 'Bear'). The video cites this term to highlight the significant and multifaceted partnership that has developed between the two countries over the last decade, encompassing economic, military, and technological domains. This relationship is portrayed as a mutual endeavor to create a geopolitical and geoeconomic counterbalance to the West.

💡Cold War 2.0

Cold War 2.0 refers to the current state of heightened tensions and strategic rivalry between major world powers, reminiscent of the original Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. The video suggests that Russia's actions in Ukraine, supported by China, have triggered a new era of global confrontation, with the Sino-Russian alliance challenging Western dominance and potentially leading to indirect conflicts, including proxy wars.

💡Arctic Access

Arctic access is crucial for strategic and economic reasons, including new shipping routes and natural resource exploration. The video discusses China's interest in gaining entry to the Arctic through its partnership with Russia, an Arctic nation. This cooperation is part of their broader strategy to ensure access to vital commodities and to project power in strategically important regions.

💡Military-Industrial Complex

The military-industrial complex refers to the relationship between a country's military and the defense industry that supplies it. The video highlights the deepening cooperation between China and Russia in this domain, which includes not just arms sales but also joint technological and industrial projects. This collaboration is part of their broader strategy to bolster their military capabilities and technological advancement.

💡Proxy Wars

Proxy wars are conflicts where two opposing countries or powers use third parties to fight on their behalf, rather than facing each other directly. The video suggests that the strategic rivalry between the US and the Sino-Russian alliance could lead to such conflicts, especially in regions like the Indo-Pacific. This reflects the complex nature of modern geopolitical competition, where direct military engagement is often avoided in favor of indirect confrontations.

Highlights

China's relationship with the United States is a defining factor of the 21st century.

Strained relations over trade, human rights, spying allegations, and Taiwan.

China's Foreign Minister accuses the US of trying to suppress China and stir trouble in Taiwan.

China and Russia's deepening ties positioning as geopolitical counterweights to the US.

China aims to match its economic strength with diplomatic muscle, including mediating international crises.

China's neutrality in the Ukraine war is questioned due to its refusal to condemn the invasion.

Increased Russian imports from China and alleged Chinese support for Russia's military efforts.

Joint Russia-China plans for a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035.

China and Russia's 'historic friendship' creating a new paradigm of country-to-country relations.

China's pursuit of a multipolar world order in contrast to the US's Cold War approach.

Strategic coordination between China and Russia in various domains, including military and space.

China's reliance on Russia for commodities and access to the Arctic.

Concerns over a potential 'Cold War 2.0' between the US-led West and China-Russia.

China's efforts to prevent Russia from aligning with the US.

Potential proxy wars and military tensions in the Indo-Pacific region influenced by China-Russia cooperation.

Transcripts

now it's been said that China's

relationship with the United States will

be one of the defining factors of the

21st century relations between the two

superpowers have been strained in recent

years over a host of issues including

trade human rights spying allegations

and Taiwan with China's national

people's Congress underway the country's

foreign minister suggested that the

United States was trying to suppress his

country and to Ser up trouble in Taiwan

Wang y also defended beijing's close

relationship with Moscow

well during much of the Cold War Soviet

Russia and communist China were at odds

but especially since the start of the

Ukraine war the two authoritarian

neighbors have been forging deeper ties

and now appear to be positioning

themselves as geopolitical

counterweights to the

US China's annual rubber stamp

Parliament the national people's

Congress likes to play up the country's

rise on the international stage as China

plays a bigger Global role Beijing has

tried to match its growing economic

strength with diplomatic muscle one area

it's Keen to play a bigger part in is

mediating International crises including

the Ukraine war but while China says it

holds a neutral stand and tries to play

honest broker it's refused to condemn

The Invasion and Europeans believe

Beijing is using the conflict for its

own purposes economically and

geopolitically so vital is China to

Moscow now that the president Vladimir

Putin has described Beijing and Russia's

relationship as being Without

Borders as for China itself we are ready

to cooperate in all

areas we don't have any

restrictions this also applies to

military

technology as we think about the future

the future world order about ensuring

our

security letting go of the traditional

buy and sell

relations we're thinking about the

future thinking about

[Music]

technology China has sent leeway its

special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs to

keev to seek a political settlement to

the

war over the past two years we have

never given up our efforts to promote

peace and we have never stopped our

efforts to promote talks China has

maintained in-depth Communications with

other countries including Russia and

Ukraine to play a constructive role in

dealing with the

crisis XI Jin ping and Vladimir Putin

are fervent admirers of each other

China's 12-point peace proposal issued

in February 2023 to end the war is seen

as being very Pro Moscow and Trust in

Beijing has eroded further as Europe

steps up scrutiny of its trade with

China

Russian imports from China last year

were up 65% on pre-war levels China's

reportedly channeling key defense

technology for the Russian war effort

through neighboring countries to get

around

sanctions this week the head of Russia's

space agency said it's working on plans

with China on ways to deliver and

install a nuclear power plant on the

Moon by

2035 the relationship Without Borders

extends into the

Stars well journalist Fabian ketma in

Beijing is following the national

people's Congress and we asked him what

Chinese foreign minister wangi meant

when he spoke of a new paradigm of major

power relations what he said is that

China and Russia now are at a quote

unquote historic friendship and this

friendship has created a new paradigm of

country-to-country relations a paradig

time that is based up on um

non-alignment um non-confrontation and

not targeting any third party and I'm

quoting here of course you might argue

how credible is such a statement given

that this in this very moment uh Russia

is continuing with its fulls scale war

against uh Ukraine but nevertheless let

me give you an explanation of what I

think what uh wangi and the Chinese

government means by this statement in

the eyes of Beijing um the US is pushing

for a cold war approach and um is

continuing with a a kind of block

building and China is pursuing a more um

multi-polar world order of course uh

critics and also independent experts are

are arguing that actually what uh China

is aiming for is that the he hegemony of

the West as led by the us then will be

replaced by the new world power uh China

um so I think that would be my

interpretation of w e statement from

this morning now let's get some analysis

with velina chakarova she's an expert on

Ino Russian relations and the founder of

the geopolitical consulting firm face

Miss CH chakarova how would you say

sinor Russian relations have changed

since the war in

Ukraine well what we are observing right

now is in fact the manifestation of a

new modus vendi of strategic

coordination between China and Russia I

coined the term Dragon bear uh already

in

2015 uh over the last 10 years they have

deepened the relationship in all

strategic domains uh from Commodities

and energy uh to uh meanwhile military

industrial complex and space we've heard

last week that they're planning a

nuclear uh plant on the moon uh in the

period up to

2035 so what we are seeing right now and

I argue that the beginning of Russian

war against Ukraine uh practically was

the manifestation of this mod it's not a

strategic Alliance it's not an Anon but

it's certainly a kind of a new modus how

to rule if you like over the global

South and how to actually create a

geopolitical and GE economic

counterweight to the

West in February last year Putin and she

met in Beijing declared their

partnership had no limits is it fair to

say the Chinese president provided the

cover for Putin to launch his

War I don't think that this is fair to

say uh probably the Chinese have been

kept in the dark about the true

intentions of Russia uh on the so-called

uh you know limited Military operation

but uh we can uh safely assume that uh

Russia would have not uh launched uh uh

let's say full scale War uh on five

directions against Ukraine if he had not

relied on the comprehensive long-term

support by China so by doing so by

launching this Fool's care War

practically Russia triggered if you like

the beginning of this cold war 2.0

between the United States on the one

hand and China and Truss on the other

hand even though that China will

actually would have preferred to uh keep

the normalization face with the United

States at least for some um let's say

five to 10 years uh in order to prepare

accordingly so we are already in this

you know

new kind of period of the international

relations so what's in it for China what

exactly does President Putin have to

offer uh that makes it worth alienating

beijing's biggest trading partners like

the US and the EU even

further okay the most important thing we

need to understand is China's worst case

scenario which is that the United States

could apply uh Nixon kissing

approach to Russia similarly to what

they did to China in the 70s so China

wants to prevent any possibility of

let's say you know having the Russians

in the American orbit in let's say in

the future uh the second important thing

that we need to understand is that the

way China perceives uh the current

American and let's say Western policies

that uh you know more or less uh both

Republicans and the Democrats agree that

they have to uh somehow stop China's

rise so uh Russia is practically a kind

of a geopolitical match in heaven

because it provides for the Commodities

China needs China is the biggest

importer of energy and food commodities

but uh let's say more Overlook an

important component is that uh Russia

offers also the entry to the Arctic with

the climate change we will see major

shift towards new Mar timeline uh the

Northern sea route uh in the future and

China is by no means an Arctic Nation so

it will actually get the access through

Russia uh and uh all in all it's a kind

of a let's say um um coordination in

which both create this counterweight to

the let's say Western way of doing

geopolitics but also the control and

facilitation of uh the global Supply

supplying line so we will see uh not

necessarily a direct confrontation

between China and the United States and

Russia but more so a kind of proxy wars

as the ones that we are currently

observing and in this year the worst I

think uh episode will be in the Indo

Pacific where China and Russia will

activate North Korea and will you know

Steer more military tensions in the Indo

Pacific in China Sea and the straight of

Taiwan the S Russian relations expert

Vina chakarova thank

you thank you very

much