China, a crucial link to Russia’s success in Ukraine

Editor’s Letter
By Marah Bukai

CIA Director William Burns in his recent testimony to congress stated that “The Chinese government, mainly Chinese President Xi Jinping, is deeply concerned about the instability caused by the brutal Russian’s invasion of Ukraine”. In spite of large Chinese investments in Russia, in recent years, the Russian invasion of Ukraine may cause a rethinking of Beijing’s relations with Moscow.

Burns believes that China will be greatly affected, in the short and long term, if China is seen to be somehow linked to the Russian invasion. An invasion witnessed by the whole world. The Chinese leader it seems is concerned with Europe’s united stance against his ally, Russia.

In Washington officials believe that the political tension affecting the Chinese government may tamper Putin’s hope for a continued partnership with China. Though he seems till now confident – that China’s financial power will aid him in dealing with escalating Western sanctions.

The sympathy shown by the Chinese leader, Xi, with his Russian counterpart, it is due to geopolitical ambitions they share. Especially in Taiwan Province, which Xi considers a dissident province, just as Putin sees the Donbass region.

The geopolitical ambitions of the two countries may be in concert, but they must be disengaged. Moscow is immersed in an adventure that is of Putin’s making, and one would hope that President Xi is wiser than his Russian counterpart. Otherwise, he’ll drag his country into a mess, that is not of his making. The right time to say “No” to Putin, is now.

Europe, not Russia, offers China a better foil for American economic might. Economically Russia needs China, but China needs Europe more. With Russia’s military power spent in Ukraine, China has a greater economic interest in Europe. If China helps Russia economically, it will lose an ally, against its true rival; the U.S.