Lead

Russia and China describe their relationship as a 'comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era', but questions persist about whether it is truly equal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to a Wall Street Journal article on Moscow-Beijing ties, said on July 14 that the partnership is 'based on the principle of equality' and respects the interests of both sides, dismissing any characterization of Russia as a junior partner.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry echoed that view, saying the two countries maintain close cooperation across various sectors and highlighting the 'high level of mutual trust and deep friendship' between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Coverage Comparison

South China Morning Post framed the relationship around economic asymmetries, noting that while China is Russia's largest trading partner, Russia accounts for only about 4 per cent of China's foreign trade. The report questioned whether such a disparity undermines official claims of equality, emphasizing the 'upper hand' that China appears to hold.

TASS, Russia's state news agency, focused on the official Russian position, reporting Peskov's remarks that the bilateral relationship is based on equality and that any interpretation of Russia as subordinate is completely flawed. TASS also relayed the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement emphasizing mutual trust and friendship.

Key Claims

  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia-China relations are 'based on the principle of equality,' commenting on a Wall Street Journal article about how the two nations work together.
  • China is Russia's largest trading partner, according to South China Morning Post.
  • Russia accounts for only about 4 per cent of China's foreign trade, as reported by South China Morning Post.
  • The European Union was Russia's most significant economic partner before the Ukraine crisis, with EU member states accounting for roughly 57 per cent of Russian exports and 46.5 per cent of imports in 2013, according to South China Morning Post.
  • Russia and China signed a 30-year, US$400 billion natural gas deal in May 2014, with Gazprom agreeing to supply China with 38 billion cubic metres of gas annually, as reported by South China Morning Post.
  • The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that both countries maintain close cooperation across various sectors, highlighting the 'high level of mutual trust and deep friendship' between Putin and Xi, according to TASS.

Perspectives

Kremlin / Russian Government

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that Russia-China relations are based on the principle of equality, respecting the interests of both sides, and that any characterization of Moscow as a junior partner is flawed. The Chinese Foreign Ministry similarly highlighted close cooperation, mutual trust, and deep friendship between the two leaders.

South China Morning Post Analysis

South China Morning Post's analysis questions the equality of the relationship, pointing to trade asymmetries: China is Russia's largest trading partner, but Russia accounts for only a small share of China's foreign trade. The report also notes that before the Ukraine crisis, the EU was Russia's most significant economic partner, and that the 2014 natural gas deal with China was part of Moscow's shift toward alternative markets.