A highly uneven relationshippublished at 03:47 BST
Ankur Shah
Editor, BBC Global China Unit
Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesThe relationship between China and Russia is highly uneven, and any deals struck between the two countries will likely be on Chinese terms, says Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center think tank.
“Russia is fully in China’s pocket, and China can dictate the terms.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has become increasingly dependent on Chinese components for its war machine. Years of Western sanctions have also gradually pushed Moscow deeper into trade engagement with Beijing.
China is Russia’s largest trading partner, while Russia makes up just 4% of China’s international trade.
Moscow has few viable alternatives to Beijing, a buyer that offers a scale of demand and market integral to Russia’s survival.
Were China to lower its trade with Russia, considering the breakdown of relations with the West, it would significantly complicate Russia’s foreign policy objectives.
