When China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, hosts President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in China this week, it will be more than two years since the two autocratic leaders declared a “no limits” partnership to push back against what they consider American bullying and interference.
Growing challenges from the West have tested the limits of that partnership.
Mr. Xi is walking a narrowing tightrope, coming under increasing diplomatic and economic pressure to curtail Chinese support for Russia and its war in Ukraine.
“China sees Russia as an important strategic partner and wants to give Putin proper respect, but it also wants to maintain sound relations with Europe and the United States for economic reasons and beyond.
It is a very difficult balancing act,” said Shen Dingli, a Shanghai-based international relations scholar.
Persons:
Xi Jinping, Vladimir V, Putin, ”, Shen Dingli
Locations:
Russia, China, Ukraine, Europe, Beijing, United States, Shanghai