China has been a close ally of Russia since the Cold War. The two countries have increasingly aligned their interests in recent years. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a moment of uncertainty in China. The invasion has been met with widespread international condemnation, and the West has imposed severe sanctions on Russia. This has led to economic turmoil in Russia. There have also been reports of unrest among the Russian military.
China is concerned that the instability in Russia could spill over into its own borders. The two countries share a long border, and there are ethnic Chinese communities in Russia. If the Russian government collapses, there is a risk that these communities could be targeted. China is also worried that the sanctions against Russia could have a negative impact on its own economy.
As a result, China has been cautious in its response to the Ukraine crisis. It has abstained from voting on UN resolutions condemning the invasion and has continued to trade with Russia. However, China has made it clear that it does not support the invasion and has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The uncertainty in Russia poses a dilemma for China. On one hand, China needs to maintain its close relationship with Russia to balance against the West. On the other hand, China needs to be careful not to be dragged into the conflict in Ukraine. It remains unclear how China will navigate this dilemma in the coming months.
