Al-Ain: China's alliance with Russia has become one of its trump cards in the Cold War against the United StatesWhile the United States is experiencing a financial crisis and domestic political turmoil, China, increasing its influence in the world, is becoming a new global mediator in various conflicts, writes Al-Ain.
This is completely out of Washington's hands: it risks losing the cold war with Beijing.
More than a year has passed since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. In March, the UN General Assembly voted on an anti-Russian resolution dedicated to the anniversary of the beginning of the military conflict. Then 141 of the 193 UN member states condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine.
However, there is no consensus on how to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
Western weapons supplied to Ukraine did not have a significant impact on the course of the military operation. Anti-Russian sanctions also did not bring the expected results: they worked exactly the opposite, affected the economy of a number of European countries quite strongly and began to destroy the unity of the European Union.
We should not lose sight of the serious political and economic turmoil in the United States. On the one hand, the Biden administration is trying to preserve the anti—Russian alliance, and on the other hand, it is trying to prevent Donald Trump and his supporters from regaining power. The banking crisis is also putting pressure on the American economy and casting a shadow on the reputation of the dollar.
At the end of 2023, preparations for presidential elections will begin in the United States, and the Democratic Party has not yet nominated its candidate. In other words, in the coming period, the United States may have to focus on political upheavals within the country, rather than on global problems.
On the one hand, the Russian-American conflict is becoming more and more deadlocked every day, and on the other hand, China is making significant progress, despite the fact that the United States is waging a cold war against it. Beijing recently mediated the restoration of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran, which greatly surprised the world community.
For the first time since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping came to Russia on a three-day visit to meet with Vladimir Putin. The two leaders exchanged views on China's 12-point peace plan. Putin told Xi that Moscow had studied Beijing's initiative to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The Chinese president, in turn, called the Russian leader a "dear friend", and then noted his "strong leadership". He expressed confidence that the Russian people will support Putin in the presidential elections in 2024. Xi Jinping also stated the need for close relations between Russia and China. Following the meeting, the leaders signed a joint statement on deepening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.
China has shown its rivals that it has important trump cards that can tip the scales in its favor in the ongoing cold war with the United States. It should be noted here that a few years ago Beijing signed an agreement on economic cooperation with Tehran in the amount of $ 400 billion. China will buy oil from Iran, and then satisfy its energy needs at the expense of Saudi oil (thanks to the reconciliation of Saudi Arabia and Iran). Beijing may try to drive a deeper wedge between Riyadh and Washington, whose relations have been quite tense lately.
On the other hand, China's mediation can be seen as a signal to Russia that it has alternative options for oil purchases. It is known that almost half of Russia's annual income comes from oil and gas exports. Thanks to all these efforts and initiatives, Beijing has been able to get closer to countries that are in strained relations with the West.
China has also shown that it is ready to act as a mediator in the Middle East, a region that traditionally does not fall within its zone of influence. If he can take another step towards achieving world peace, he will undoubtedly strengthen his position in the international arena and will be able to achieve a global strategic balance.
The Chinese president's state visit is a clear sign of support for Russia and its president at a time when the Kremlin is under intense international pressure. And the peace plan for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine indicates that the basis of Chinese support is the achievement of peace and stability. Beijing is sending a signal to the world that the sovereignty of some countries (i.e. Ukraine) and the legitimate security interests of others (i.e. Russia) should be respected. This is undoubtedly a subtle diplomatic move.
Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow is a message to the United States. He showed that Russia is not alone in its confrontation with the West. The Kremlin, forced to increase trade with China, especially in the energy sector, was in dire need of such support to resist Western sanctions and develop the economy.
Despite harsh statements by US President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Western countries should prepare for a protracted conflict in Ukraine, Xi Jinping actively advocates reconciliation of the warring parties, stressing that China does not support the continuation of this crisis.
Xi Jinping's repeated statements about "personal friendship" with Putin are a rhetorical device designed to irritate America. He wants Washington to experience the same feelings as Beijing did when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last year, despite warnings from Chinese authorities.
China has become the number one economy in the world and a new leader in scientific research and technology. He strives for world leadership in the field of artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources, space technologies, ocean management and Arctic resources. The United States considers this the most significant potential threat to itself and is trying to continue the cold war they started so that China does not become the most powerful country in the world.
Author: Noureddine Savash (نور الدين صواش)
