China-Russia relationship beyond military cooperation 

Published: April 19,2023

By staff writer 

Western media hyped the recent visit to Moscow by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu speculating that the visit was aimed at “reshape the world order” and “weaken American influence,” going further to claim that China is likely to provide weapons to Russia in reference to ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. 

The irony is that the same media keeps silent to mention other fields like trade  where the boom of China- Russia trade is close to reach $200 billion in turnover this year.  Chinese customs data shows thatChinese exports to Russia increased by 136% year-on-year, while imports increased by 40.5%.

Trade between China and Russia reached a record high in 2022, growing by nearly a third amid Western sanctions against Moscow. Overall exports of Chinese cars, steel, clothing and plastics to Russia and other countries rose strongly in the first quarter of the year.

Beijing’s seaborne imports of Russian oil have been hitting record highs as refiners take advantage of cheap prices amid a domestic fuel demand rebound, following the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Official statistics show that Russia was the leader among China’s 20 largest partners in terms of trade growth in 2022. China has been competing with India as Russia’s biggest buyer of oil, and has overtaken the EU as the top importer of Russian agricultural products.

From this one simple example, western media can learn that China and Russia relationship is not hinged on military cooperation with the aim is to  “reshape the world order” and “weaken American influence,” but it is a centuries long relationship of brotherly neighbors that is holistic in nature; diplomatically, politically, militarily, trade, cultural and much more.