Chinese economist names reasons for strengthening the partnership between Russia and China

Relations between Russia and China are strengthening due to the ideal combination of their economies, US aggression against both countries and a common border, Chinese economist Andrew Leung told Izvestia on December 19.

The expert drew attention to the significant growth of bilateral trade between Russia and China. According to Leung, the economies of both countries are symbiotic, as Russia is one of the world's largest exporters of energy and agricultural products, while China is the world's largest consumer.

"The partnership is further strengthened because the two countries are not so much attracted to each other as they are brought closer together because of the U.S. aggression against both countries and create, together with Iran, a kind of antagonism to the United States. The three countries are forming an informal, forced anti-hegemonic alliance," he believes.

At the same time, the economist expressed the opinion that the rapprochement between Russia and China should be viewed in a much broader context. He recalled the long-standing cultural exchanges between the two nations because of their long common border and long history. This exchange is now growing quite rapidly, Leung noted.

He also called it a trend of the times due to the strengthening of the countries of the Global South. These countries are now able to defend themselves, have become more respectful of their sovereignty and are forming a closer alliance, the economist explained. In particular, he pointed to the huge influence of the BRICS group, which is designed to counterbalance the hegemony of the West led by the United States.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a direct line that Russian-Chinese interaction has become in recent decades what it has never been before. He attributed this primarily to the development of relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual trust.

Prior to that, on December 17, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that three meetings between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024 contributed to deepening cooperation between the countries. The diplomat said that relations between Moscow and Beijing are becoming increasingly mature and stable, accompanied by coordination on multilateral platforms.