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Putin arrives in China's 'Little Moscow' as allies aim to deepen trade - BBC News Putin arrives in China's 'Little Moscow' as allies aim to deepen trade - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Frances MaoFrances Mao
Live reporterLive reporter
For China, their main concern is Ukraine. Xi Jinping wants to know what Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy is and they've been concerned by his nuclear threats. The main thing Putin wants is for China to reaffirm its support - particularly economic support - for Russia as it continues to deal with Western sanctions, say analysts.
"We expect Xi will be firm (as he was previously) that any - even limited - use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia will be a red line for Beijing," says Philipp Ivanov from the Asia Society Policy Institute. He wants assurances that China will continue to send through manufacturing equipment and technology, things like machine tools, silicon chips, even cars. Imports from China have become critical for Russia's wartime economy.
China has attempted to maintain a stance of studied neutrality on the war in Ukraine - it's clear Beijing is also hedging its bets if Russia loses. Analysts say he may also push for progress on the stalled gas pipeline proposal from Russia to China - known as the Power of Siberia II pipeline. China already buys gas and oil from Russia.
But it does view the war almost as a proxy war, says Natasha Kuhrt from King's College London. "In a sense Russia fights western hegemonism on China’s behalf," she adds. "There is mutual dependence but Russian elites rely on the rents from oil and gas to a very great degree," says Natasha Kuhrt from Kings College London. "So Russia is very likely more dependent on China than vice versa. Russia has no real allies."
Beyond Ukraine, analysts say China also cares about:
North Korea: Putin has very publicly fostered closer ties with the country's leader Kim Jong Un and is using North Korean weapons on the battlefield. China will want to make sure Russia is still restrained in what type of military tech it is giving the North Koreans, analysts say It's clear that China has become a key economic lifeline for Russia. The nations' two-way trade increased 26% last year and Russia is now China's sixth-largest trade partner.
UN and security: China benefits from Russian diplomatic experience at the UN and Russia’s role as a security provider in Central Asia But there are signs that China is looking to moderate this, particularly under pressure from Europe and the US.
Official Chinese customs data showed China's outbound shipments to Russia were down 10% in April and 13% in March from the previous year.
Chinese banks have also been rejecting transactions with Russian importers and are reportedly tightening their requirements due to the threat of the US sanctions.
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