The Chinese-Russian growing partnership led to continued concerns of the international community. This became clear with the beginning of the large-scale war against Ukraine and China’s clear support for Russia,which has a strategic and economic character. Despite China’s official statement about its neutrality, it is not true. Thus, China supplies Russia with dual-use goods and even weapons, helping to circumvent Western sanctions and strengthen Moscow’s military potential.
This cooperation has far-reaching implications not only for Ukraine, but for global security as a whole. It undermines the efforts of Western powers to contain Russia’s aggression and contributes to increased tensions in the international arena. As French Senator Guillaume Gontard noted, a ban on importation of products made with forced labor could be an important step in response to this partnership. In particular, we are talking about products made in China by the oppressed Uyghur population. However, this measure is only the beginning of a larger-scale counteraction from Europe.
On the other hand, as US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasizes, China is actively helping Russia strengthen its military capabilities, in exchange, it is getting Russian top secret military technology. This cooperation threatens not only European security, but also violates human rights, which is especially noticeable in relation to the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
China’s support for Russia’s aggression concernsEuropean states. For example, the Finnish Parliament proposed to develop a unified EU strategy to counter Chinese aid to Russia. Such initiatives are gaining momentum as countries become aware of the growing threat to their security and stability. The head of the Green parliamentary group in the Finnish Parliament, Ate Harjanne, noted that China not only supportedRussia’s economy, but also actively contributed to its ability to continue military action.
Furthermore, it is extremely alarming that cooperation between China and Russia could go further and affect other regions, such as Taiwan or southern China. The political and military interdependence of these countries reinforces their ambitions to reshape the world order in their favor, threatening the interests of Western democracies. Joint military exercises and diplomatic coordination confirm their ambition to create a new order that challenges existing international rules and Western hegemony.
Italy, as well as the rest of Europe, risks significant here. Economic dependence on China makes it difficult to take tough measures, but ignoring this threat could lead to long-term destabilization not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world. The strengthening of the China-Russia axis could inspire other authoritarian regimes, such as Iran and North Korea, inciting instability.
As such, Sino-Russian cooperation poses a serious threat to global security. The international community shouldtake measures to limit the impact of this partnership and prevent its further expansion. European countries, including Italy, should develop effective strategies to contain this allies in order to maintain stability and security in the world.
