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China-Russia relations
ChinaDiplomacy

As Trump’s US draws Russia closer, should China worry?

Even as US-Russia talks prompt debate about the impact on China, analysts say China-Russia links run too deep to be severed easily

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US President Donald Trump plans to restore communication channels with Moscow, while Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has expressed a desire to meet Trump and increase “trust” with the United States. Photo: White House/DPA
Kawala Xie

China has little cause to worry about the US-Russia rapprochement, according to observers, who say the Asian neighbours’ shared strategic goal to counter the West and their deep economic ties make for a partnership that is hard to break.

The meeting between US and Russian officials earlier this week, which discussed the possibility of normalising ties, has not only sent shock waves through America’s allies in Europe but also prompted speculation about the likely impact on Moscow’s relations with China.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s plan to restore communication channels with Moscow, while blaming Kyiv for the Ukraine war, marks a reversal in Washington’s Russia policy.

The US shift is being seen as a major victory for Russian leader Vladimir Putin – who has also expressed a desire to meet Trump and increase “trust” with the United States – but analysts in China said there was no sign that US-Russia relations could be rebuilt to the point where Moscow might choose to turn away from Beijing.

Russia will not 100 per cent trust Trump
Victor Gao, vice-president, Centre for China and Globalisation

Russia was quick to reassure China as ties with the US took a more favourable turn. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed Russia-US relations when he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in South Africa on Thursday, two days after his meeting with the US team in Saudi Arabia.

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