Notes from China on recent events Join us on Telegram , Twitter , and VK . Contact us: info@strategic-culture.su Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest trip to China highlighted a reality that many Western observers still fail to understand: the strategic alliance between the two countries has reached a definitive and irreversible level. Far from being just a temporary commercial arrangement or a transitory diplomatic convenience, what we are witnessing is the consolidation of a bloc built on convergent civilizational visions, mutual defense of sovereignty, and the certainty that U.S. global hegemony has reached its historical exhaustion.
During the bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping in Beijing, the robust Russian delegation – packed with ministers and business leaders – sealed more than 40 treaties in cutting-edge sectors, such as artificial intelligence, energy, nuclear cooperation, and the long-awaited visa exemption until 2027.
However, evaluating this event solely through an economic lens would be a mistake. The core of the meeting was strictly political. Russia and China ratified their commitment to a multipolar model grounded in traditional international law, contrasting themselves with the arbitrary “rules-based order” promoted by Western powers.
In a joint manifesto, both nations defended the UN Charter and rejected unilateral economic sanctions as tools of coercion, arguing that global stability is incompatible with the dominance of a single superpower. Diplomatic contrasts: Washington vs. Moscow in Beijing’s eyes I had the opportunity to be in China during Putin’s visit. I arrived in the country shortly after the departure of U.S. President Donald Trump, which allowed me to witness firsthand the local political atmosphere and the sharp contrasts in how the Chinese deal with both Americans and Russians.
The internal perception in China exposes the abyss between the relationships the country maintains with the U.S. and with Russia. The American stance is met with deep distrust by the Chinese. Washington’s attempts to bargain restrictions on energy trade with Iran in exchange for technological concessions were viewed as blackmail. For Beijing, the agreement with Tehran is vital for its energy security, while dependence on American technology was surpassed long ago by China’s own local advancements in AI and innovation.
Such is American arrogance that Trump actually arrived in Beijing thinking the U.S. was in a position to “bargain” with the Chinese on tech matters – but, apparently, he left disillusioned, realizing that China is practically already living in the 22nd century.
On the other hand, interaction with Russia is guided by balance and reciprocity. There is no room for unilateral pressure or demands. China views Russia as an autonomous and reliable partner for strategic cooperation. Russia views Chinese growth not as a threat, but as the necessary engine to balance global forces.
In practice, Russia and China do not just depend on one another; above all, they mutually respect each other. It is this relationship of mutual respect that guarantees the formula for success in the current process of total and limitless integration. The unipolar decline and the multipolar future This alliance is not an accident of history; it stems from the mutual conviction that American supremacy is crumbling. Both governments project the 21st century as a polycentric era, where different cultures and powers will share power sovereignly.
The major obstacle today is the insistence of Western leadership on obsolete formulas from the 1990s, resorting to retaliation, sanctions, and military encirclement. On the other hand, the Russians and Chinese are structuring new financial systems, trade routes, and institutions that will support this new global governance.
The restoration of international peace depends directly on the West accepting that the world is now multipolar. Insisting on a failed hegemonic format will only serve to heighten the risk of global conflicts of catastrophic proportions. Understanding this is the key to solving all current “major issues,” from Ukraine to Iran.