Key insights

• 🤝 Russia and China are forming an alliance to challenge US dominance, given their complementary strengths and common geopolitical interests
• 💱 China and Russia are moving away from the US dollar in trade, using local currencies instead, and have a strong personal relationship between their leaders
• 📉 A binding security treaty between China and Russia would make Beijing the senior partner, due to disparities in military spending, GDP, and trade
• 🌏 The Russian Far East is underpopulated, with a growing ethnic Chinese population, leading to geopolitical rivalry and incompatibility
• 🌐 Cultural differences and disparities between China and Russia could lead to future conflict, possibly centered around the Arctic region
• 🌍 An alliance between China and Russia would rival the West for global supremacy, as both seek a multipolar world and hold a grudge against American hegemony
• ⚔️ Cooperation extends into the military sphere, as seen in Russia's vostok exercise in 2018, showing an expansion of their relationship
• 👍 Public opinion in China and Russia is largely favorable towards each other, indicating growing support for the alignment between the two countries

Q&A

• How could the cultural and economic disparities lead to conflict?

  Cultural differences between China and Russia could lead to future conflict potential. The Arctic region is highlighted as a possible flashpoint due to economic potential and power struggle. Russia's assertiveness in the Arctic conflicts with China's long-term interests, and Russia may be forced to balance its relations with China and the United States.

• What could hinder a Chinese-Russian alliance?

  The Russian Far East is underpopulated, with a growing ethnic Chinese population. Both Russia and China have historical claims to justify their geopolitical ambitions. The alliance is unlikely due to geopolitical rivalry and incompatibility. Chinese influence in Central Asia is also encroaching on Russian interests.

• Why is a binding alliance between China and Russia unlikely?

  Disparities in military spending, GDP, and trade make a binding treaty unlikely. China's greater economic and military power would render Russia a subordinate partner.

• How are Russia and China strengthening their relationship?

  China and Russia are moving away from the US dollar in trade, using local currencies instead. Putin and Xi have a strong personal relationship, meeting about 30 times and publicly endorsing each other. Public opinion in China and Russia is largely favorable towards each other. Cooperation extends into the military sphere, as seen in Russia's Vostok exercise in 2018.

• What is the alliance between Russia and China about?

  Russia and China are forming an alliance to challenge the US dominance. They have complementary strengths and common geopolitical interests, making them a formidable force in global affairs.

• 00:00 Russia and China are increasingly aligning and strengthening their ties, with growing talk of military cooperation and a potential alliance. The alliance may challenge American uni-polarity, but the question remains on its feasibility and who will emerge as the senior partner.
• 02:17 Russia and China are forming an alliance to challenge the US dominance, they have complementary strengths and common geopolitical interests which make them a formidable force in global affairs.
• 04:31 China and Russia are strengthening their relationship, moving away from the US dollar in trade and building a personal connection between their leaders, leading to expanded cooperation in various aspects, including the military.
• 06:46 China and Russia have considered forming an alliance due to their display of brute force, but disparities in military spending, GDP, and trade make a binding treaty unlikely. China's greater economic and military power would render Russia a subordinate partner.
• 09:08 The Russian Far East is underpopulated, with an increasing number of ethnic Chinese. Both Russia and China have historical claims to justify their geopolitical ambitions. A Chinese-Russian alliance is unlikely due to geopolitical rivalry and incompatibility.
• 11:36 The cultural, economic, and military disparities between China and Russia could lead to a future conflict, possibly centered around the Arctic region. Russia's assertiveness in the Arctic conflicts with China's long-term interests, and Russia may find itself weakened and forced to balance its relations with China and the United States.