China and Russia continue to fortify their diplomatic and military ties amid the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing closer coordination and cooperation for mutual development. The latest reaffirmation of this partnership emerged from the 19th round of the annual China-Russia strategic security consultations held on November 12, 2024, co-chaired by Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council.
This meeting marked the second significant engagement between the two sides within two months, following discussions held in St. Petersburg. Wang underscored the importance of unity, stating, "The more complex the international situation becomes, and the more external challenges arise, the more China and Russia need to stand together to defend shared interests."
Strengthening political trust and pragmatic cooperation has been the cornerstone of their burgeoning relationship, which dates back to the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year. The dual nations have found common ground on multiple fronts. Shoigu articulated Russia's willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly highlighting legislation and law enforcement for heightened security collaboration.
China's National Defense Ministry noted the significance of Shoigu's visit, which included attending the ninth meeting of the China-Russia law-enforcement and security cooperation mechanism. The two countries pledged to share security interests and intensify exchanges within multilateral frameworks, reflecting their united front against perceived external threats.
While China hasn’t been noted for providing direct military support to Russia, it has engaged in transaction of dual-use technologies. This includes valuable technological resources beneficial to Russia's military operations, especially amid the global sanctions isolative measures against Moscow since the onset of its invasion of Ukraine.
Shoigu’s presence at the Zhuhai Air Show was also emblematic of this collaboration. The air show highlighted the display of significant military hardware, including Russia’s advanced Su-57 stealth jet, underscoring military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow at various defense presentations. The timing of Shoigu’s participation stands as a powerful statement correlatively palpable with the state of military engagement between the two countries.
This participation took place as Skyranger drones and new advances in aerial technology were being presented as potential game changers for both nations amid regional tensions. Analysts see this strong military engagement as enhancing China's defense posture, coupled with its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2AD) strategy—a tactical approach aimed at limiting adversary interventions within its regional areas of influence.
Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute pointed out these developments, emphasizing the strategic victories for China as it continues to augment its combat readiness. Concurrently, there's been scrutiny over China's long-term military strategies as it aims to secure its place not just regionally but on the world stage.
With both countries now establishing new protocols for sharing law-enforcement practices and counteracting transnational security threats, their expansive cooperation signals their intent not just to counterbalance Western influence but to create mechanisms for conflict resolution aligned with their interests.
With the geopolitical climate continually shifting, it remains to be seen how deep the integration can proceed, but both nations are certainly willing to lean on their shared interests to navigate through increasingly turbulent waters. The outcome of these physical maneuvers will likely have ripple effects across global diplomacy, with China’s assertiveness on the military and technology fronts catalyzing shifts within the broader international relations framework.
While the future of such partnerships continuously raises questions, one thing remains clear: China's and Russia's joint navigation through the current geopolitical storm demonstrates their resolve to support each other’s pursuits on the international stage.
