The recent alliance between China and Russia may seem strange to some, but it makes sense in light of the fact that these two nations are working together to promote their own mutual self-interests and maintain their power within their respective regions, particularly Central Asia and East Asia. This budding relationship may be more important than meets the eye, as it could have far-reaching consequences on the entire world. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening here and why...
What is driving the alliances in Central Asia
There are a number of factors driving the alliances in Central Asia. One is the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have led to increased cooperation between Russia and China. Another is the South China Sea dispute, which has led to increased Chinese investment in Russian gas and oil projects. Finally, the presence of US brands in Russia, such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola, has led to increased Russian investment in China.
How both countries are trying to woo C.A.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has been caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between China and Russia. Both countries have tried to woo Central Asia with economic incentives and military support, in an attempt to maintain their influence in the region. In this context, it is worth noting that China may soon become a bigger economy than Russia. Yet Beijing still seems uncertain about its intentions in C.A., where it has been trying to establish diplomatic relations with all five former Soviet republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).
Why do China and Russia want C.A.
One reason China and Russia may want Central Asia is for the energy resources. The region has large reserves of oil and gas that both countries are in need of. China is also looking to expand its territory, and Central Asia would be a strategic location for them to do so. As for Russia, it wants to maintain its influence in the region and prevent other countries, like the US, from gaining a foothold there. The two countries also share a border, which makes it easier for them to cooperate with each other.
What does this mean for Europe
The presence of this open door is far-fetched, nonetheless, due to homegrown governmental issues in both Russia and the EU, as well as the continuous showdown among Russia and the West. In this specific circumstance, both Moscow and the European capitals will zero in on their individual clumsy endeavors, which will hold the awry Sino-Russian relationship back from moving further in support of China.
On February 10, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas gave a discourse at the Bundestag where he cautioned against copying all extensions with Russia because of the crackdown on the Russian resistance that followed the capture of its chief, Alexei Navalny. "You would be driving Russia and China into one another's arms, and subsequently likewise be making the biggest financial and military coalition on the planet
What does this mean for US
At that point, scarcely any examiners accepted the United States and Europe could really arrive at agreement on the most serious authorizations viable — like freezing Russia's national bank saves. In any case, they did, surprising both Moscow and Wall Street.
With regards to China, nobody needs to mess up the same way once more.
Moscow has purportedly asked Beijing for military and monetary help to wage its conflict against Ukraine, albeit the two legislatures openly deny it.
Yet, China cares hardly at all about becoming entangled in the monetary fight among Moscow and the remainder of the created world.