China and Russia form alliance against US threats.

By José Reinaldo Carvalho, from Journalists for Democracy - Without any visible record in Western media, the presidents of China, Xi Jinping, and Russia, Vladimir Putin, spoke by telephone last Wednesday (8). An episode that, as we shall see, has a considerable impact on the global situation. 

Despite the difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic for holding in-person meetings, the conversation had the content of a summit, with both leaders addressing issues of the utmost significance not only for bilateral relations, but also for strategic projection within the geopolitical landscape. 

Xi and Putin know that their own and shared interests have an impact on the global situation. And they are willing to seize the opportunities created by the new international landscape, in which the United States, a common rival, is going through a difficult time, exhibiting systemic, structural, and cyclical vulnerabilities.  

Both heads of state are aware of the need to project stable relations into the long-term future, relations that last year celebrated their 70th anniversary, considering the period of the Soviet Union. Xi and Putin know that the Sino-Soviet rivalry, which marked these relations between the mid-1950s and the end of the century, is a thing of the past. Today they seek alignment in multilateral trade and diplomacy through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and the United Nations institutional system. On a strictly bilateral level, they emphasize the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. 

The world is undergoing rapid and dynamic transformations, marked by uncertainty and instability, and both countries are becoming increasingly aware of the gravity of the challenges they face. 

Current bilateral relations are designated as a "comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," a high status that requires continuous strategic communication and cooperation. These relations are increasingly marked by concepts and actions of "firm mutual support," "rejection of sabotage," "repudiation of external interventions," "defense of sovereignty," "right to security and development," and "safeguarding of common interests." The use of these expressions is becoming increasingly frequent in conversations between both countries at all levels and in their respective media outlets. 

In addition to reaffirming their willingness to strengthen diplomatic, political, commercial, scientific, technological, cultural, and military ties—which are numerous and encompass a vast range of agreements—the two presidents are today forging a strategic alliance that is poised to shift the global balance of power. It will not be easy for the United States to prevail in trade wars, economic sanctions, unilateral breaches of agreements, and threats to world peace if two giants like China and Russia maintain this union. 

In the conversation between the two presidents, the solemn mutual promise to support each other in defending national sovereignty and the geographical and economic spaces in which they have common interests is highlighted. 

Among the threats that the United States and its allies pose to Russia, the following stand out in the current context: the breaking of nuclear agreements, the concentration of troops and NATO maneuvers near Russia, economic sanctions, and the fostering of internal movements of political destabilization. In turn, despite efforts at de-escalation and peace, China is the target of an economic war and interventionist actions in its internal affairs related to national sovereignty and territorial integrity, such as the issues of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Added to this is the provocation by the US, which intermittently sends its warships to the South China Sea under the pretext of defending "freedom of navigation." As can be seen, there are multiple challenges that Russia and China can and should face together, including those related to security.  

China, generally discreet and sparing when it comes to specific issues concerning countries with which it maintains relations, explicitly commented on the constitutional referendum held two weeks ago in Russia, which drew harsh criticism from Western powers and media. According to Xi Jinping, the referendum, in which the overwhelming majority of the Russian population approved a set of constitutional amendments, fully reflects popular support for Putin's government. This opinion entirely corresponds to the expectations of the Russian leader, who focused his energies on the referendum and whose result is defining for Russia's future. Obviously, this result strengthens Putin's political power and governance and greatly helps him maintain long-term political stability, better defend national sovereignty, and oppose foreign interference. For this very reason, the Kremlin leader reciprocated the Chinese opinion. More than a courtesy, this opinion represents Chinese adherence to a Russian political cause. 

The retaliation came in the form of Russian support for an issue dear to the Chinese. Vladimir Putin said he firmly supports China's efforts to defend national security in Hong Kong, opposes all types of provocative actions that violate China's sovereignty, and believes that the Asian socialist giant is fully capable of ensuring prosperity and stability in the special autonomous region that is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. 

On a symbolic level, which represents much more than appearances in international relations, Xi noted his satisfaction with the celebration in Russia of the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War, a demonstration of the determination to keep history alive and gather the lessons of the glorious events of the past, which in the present illuminate and inspire efforts for shared development, international cooperation, the unity of peoples and peace. 

Chinese assertiveness and Russian reciprocity constitute an unmistakable sign of the times, a new phase in diplomacy between these two great powers, when the American superpower, in crisis and entangled in very serious economic, social, racial and health problems, with the re-election of the President of the Republic threatened, resorts to aggressive rhetoric, intensifies hostile and rivalrous actions, keeps conflicts burning and maintains an ostentatious presence of troops, military bases and nuclear weapons in the world. 

It is encouraging and promising that China and Russia have expressed a decision to act in a coordinated manner within the United Nations and other multilateral structures, opposing the unilateralism and hegemony of the US, defending international law, the resolution of conflicts through diplomatic means, the self-determination of countries and peoples, the sovereignty of nation-states, and equality between large and small, rich and poor. If such cooperation produces results, it will create more favorable conditions for the struggles of revolutionary, democratic, and progressive forces around the world and the commitment of peace-loving nations to building what the Chinese call a "community with a shared future for mankind."