Russia and China have deepened their military and defense cooperation, with high-level talks between Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and China’s Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Zhang Youxia, marking a significant step forward in their partnership. Both countries, long seen as strategic rivals to the United States, have strengthened their ties against the backdrop of rising tensions in Asia, particularly regarding U.S. influence and policy in the region.
During the meeting, which Belousov described as “very substantive,” both sides emphasized their shared view of global security dynamics and agreed on the need for greater military collaboration. The Russian Defense Ministry stated on its Telegram channel that the discussions reflected a unified approach to addressing current global challenges, suggesting an increasing alignment of military strategies and geopolitical goals between Moscow and Beijing.
The talks come in the context of a growing Russia-China alliance, formalized in their declaration of a “no limits” partnership in February 2022. This partnership was announced during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing, just weeks before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That event has since triggered the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II and led to a realignment of global alliances.
As both countries face escalating tensions with the West, Russia and China have drawn closer, casting the United States as a destabilizing force on the global stage. This view was echoed in May 2024, when Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to usher in a “new era” of cooperation, underscoring their commitment to strengthening ties across military, economic, and diplomatic fronts. This partnership, often portrayed as an anti-U.S. coalition, is seen by many analysts as a response to Washington’s foreign policy moves, particularly in Asia and Europe.
“The military departments of Russia and China are united in their assessments of global processes,” said Belousov, adding that both nations have a “common understanding” of what needs to be done in the current global security situation. He also expressed confidence that further military cooperation would lead to “fruitful work” and the adoption of significant decisions that could reshape the security landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting between Belousov and Zhang took place at a time of heightened military activity in the Asia-Pacific region. China, in particular, has ramped up its military operations near Taiwan, conducting a series of war games as a warning against what it calls “separatist acts” by Taiwanese authorities. These actions have drawn sharp condemnation from both Taipei and Washington, which views Taiwan as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy.
China’s Defense Ministry, following the meeting with the Russian delegation, stated that both sides are committed to expanding their military ties, maintaining high-level exchanges, and deepening cooperation on joint exercises and technological development. The talks are likely to result in more frequent and complex joint military drills, similar to those that have been conducted in recent years, including naval exercises in the Pacific and joint bomber patrols over East Asia.
The timing of these discussions is notable as they follow China’s increasingly assertive stance on Taiwan, which it regards as a breakaway province. In recent months, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been flexing its military muscle, sending warplanes and naval vessels near the island in a show of force. Taiwan’s government, backed by the U.S., has repeatedly denounced these actions as attempts to intimidate the island’s population and destabilize regional peace.
For Russia, aligning with China on these issues offers both strategic and political advantages. The Kremlin, under mounting sanctions and diplomatic isolation from the West due to its war in Ukraine, sees China as an indispensable partner both in terms of economic survival and geopolitical strategy. As Beijing continues to support Moscow’s global positioning, Russia has increasingly voiced its backing for China’s policies in Asia, particularly regarding Taiwan, a critical flashpoint for U.S.-China relations.
The deepening military partnership between Russia and China has raised concerns in Washington, where policymakers have been watching the developments closely. The U.S. has accused China of indirectly aiding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine through the supply of so-called “dual-use” goods, such as microelectronics, which can be utilized in the production of military equipment. While Beijing denies providing direct military support to Moscow, it maintains that normal trade relations with Russia should not be interrupted by the West’s sanctions.
The U.S. has also expressed concern that closer military cooperation between Russia and China could lead to a more robust and unified challenge to its strategic interests in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific. The Pentagon, while reaffirming its support for Taiwan’s self-defense, has warned of the potential for miscalculation and conflict as tensions continue to rise in the region.
In response to China’s military exercises near Taiwan, the U.S. has been increasing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, conducting joint exercises with allies such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. These moves are part of a broader effort to counterbalance China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region. However, Beijing and Moscow have consistently framed these U.S. actions as evidence of a Cold War-style containment strategy aimed at stifling their rise on the world stage.
The “no limits” partnership between Russia and China, solidified by ongoing military cooperation, marks a significant shift in the global balance of power. For much of the 20th century, the relationship between the two countries was fraught with ideological and territorial tensions, with the Sino-Soviet split casting a long shadow over their interactions. However, in recent years, shared grievances against the West have brought them closer together, culminating in a strategic partnership that spans military, economic, and political domains.
For Russia, this partnership provides a critical lifeline as it navigates the economic fallout from its invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions imposed by the U.S., the European Union, and other Western powers. China, meanwhile, benefits from Russia’s vast natural resources and its experience in countering Western influence in Europe and the Middle East.
At the heart of this partnership is a shared desire to reshape the global order in a way that diminishes U.S. dominance. Both Moscow and Beijing have been vocal in their opposition to what they see as Washington’s unilateralism and its efforts to impose a rules-based international order that benefits the West. By presenting a united front, Russia and China hope to build a multipolar world where power is more evenly distributed, and regional actors play a larger role in shaping global outcomes.
The increased cooperation between Russia and China also has significant implications for global security alliances. NATO, which has traditionally focused on countering Russian influence in Europe, has begun paying greater attention to the Indo-Pacific, where China’s rise poses new challenges. Similarly, the Quad, an informal security grouping that includes the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, has been strengthening its coordination to counterbalance China’s growing influence.
While the Russia-China partnership continues to grow, there are still questions about its long-term stability. Historically, the two countries have maintained a wary relationship, and there are underlying tensions, particularly regarding their respective ambitions in Central Asia, a region where both have significant strategic interests. Moreover, while China has benefited from Russia’s international isolation by securing favorable energy deals and expanding its influence in global institutions, it remains cautious about becoming too entangled in Russia’s conflicts, particularly in Ukraine.
Nonetheless, the immediate future suggests that the two countries will continue to align on key issues, particularly in opposition to the U.S. and its allies. As long as Moscow and Beijing see themselves as the primary targets of Washington’s foreign policy, their partnership is likely to remain strong.
Belousov’s visit to Beijing and the substantive talks he held with Zhang Youxia are a clear indication that military cooperation between the two nations will play an increasingly prominent role in their bilateral relationship. For the U.S. and its allies, this presents a growing challenge, as they seek to manage a rapidly evolving security landscape in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
As the geopolitical fault lines between East and West continue to deepen, the world may be witnessing the emergence of a new Cold War, one in which Russia and China are determined to reshape the international order to suit their interests, while the U.S. and its allies scramble to adapt to the new reality.
The Russia-China military talks mark a critical moment in the development of their “no limits” partnership. With shared concerns over U.S. influence, both nations are positioning themselves as key players in an increasingly multipolar world. As their military cooperation deepens, the global community will have to contend with the implications of a stronger, more unified Russo-Chinese front, particularly in regions like the Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe, where their interests directly challenge those of the United States and its allies.
