Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China announced a "boundless friendship" with Russia, signaling intentions for close collaboration in trade, energy, and security.
However, over two years into the conflict, this friendship is fading for several key reasons, writes Ziare.
Firstly, China is growing increasingly cautious in its dealings with Russia, attempting to balance its relations with both Russia and the West.
This shift is evident in the disappearance of the phrase "boundless friendship" from a Sino-Russian joint statement in May, reflecting Beijing’s desire to avoid being seen as a decisive factor in the war.
Secondly, skepticism about Russia's capabilities is on the rise in China. Events such as the Wagner Group uprising and Ukraine’s incursions into Russian territory have led to critical reassessments in Beijing regarding Russia's political stability and military readiness.
Scholars like Feng Yujun argue that internal crises in Russia make its regime less stable.
Lastly, China is concerned about aligning its international outlook with Russia’s. While China aims to transform the existing international system to gain a more prominent role, Russia seeks to dismantle it altogether.
This fundamental divergence creates mutual distrust and complicates the prospects for a stronger alliance.
As the war in Ukraine reaches a stalemate, China increasingly questions the value of its military partnership with Russia, prioritizing its long-term relationship with the West to avoid isolation.
