Putin-Xi Jinping Show Multipolar Power Capable of Balancing Western Hegemony

Through a visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to show that there are global powers other than Western hegemony.

AFP/POOL/MIKHAIL METZEL

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an informal meeting at the Zhongnanhai complex, Beijing, China, Thursday (16/5/2024).

HARBIN, SATURDAY - President Russia Vladimir Putin has ended a visit to China. He stated that the close relationship between Russia and China brings balance to geopolitics so that the multipolar face becomes more prominent and the world is not dominated by the hegemony of just one country.

Putin visited China for two days starting Thursday (16/5/2024). He was welcomed in Beijing by Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Friday (17/5/2024), he visited the China-Russia trade exhibition in the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia. There, he was accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

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To journalists, Putin stated that his meeting with Xi was very substantive. After a meeting with officials from the Chinese government at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, Xi took Putin to Zhongnanhai - a garden from the era of the Chinese Empire - for more intimate discussions.

The two of them were seen taking a walk under the trees, then sitting around sipping tea. They wore suits, but no ties.

"The Russia-China partnership is not meant to challenge anyone," said Putin in Harbin on Friday, seemingly referring to the West. "It is purely aimed at one thing: realizing better conditions for the development of our countries and improving the welfare of the people of China and the Russian Federation."

He said that Russia and China have indeed emerged as natural balancing forces in the world. According to him, this makes those who want a monopoly in policy-making unhappy.

AFP/POOL/MIKHAIL METZEL

Chinese President Xi Jinping (second from left) walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) in Beijing, China, Thursday (16/5/2024).

Putin emphasized that the rising multipolar world is now taking shape before our eyes. "And, this is important, considering those who are trying to maintain a monopoly in decision-making in the world on all issues...doing everything in their power to ensure that this process runs naturally," said Putin.

Russia and China have repeatedly thrown around the concept of a rising multipolar world in response to what they see as US hegemony.

Through this moment, China and Russia reminded the West that they can fight back when they want.

Joseph Torigian, a researcher at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, said that the message China and Russia want to convey is clear. "Through this moment, they are reminding the West that they can fight back when they want to."

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Meanwhile, Han stated that the Russia-China partnership is advantageous. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will connect projects with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The two countries also promised to increase trade balance, cooperate in education and technology, and enhance tourism. All of these partnerships are being explored at the inter-province level.

Not too critical

National Security Council Spokesperson United States Jack Kirby in Washington DC responded to Xi and Putin's meeting as something that the US continues to monitor, but this time it is less critical.

"Well, it's good that they're keeping in touch," said Kirby, commenting on a photo of Xi and Putin embracing after ending their visit to Zhongnanhai.

AP/SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL/MIKHAIL METZEL

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace after holding an informal meeting in Beijing, China, on Thursday (16/5/2024).

According to Kirby, this meeting between the two heads of state does not affect current global developments. China will not send weaponry to Russia to be used in attacking Ukraine. However, China does send equipment and raw materials used by Russia to manufacture weapons, and this is known to all parties.

US Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel criticized China's attempt to strengthen its relationships with European countries while also cozying up to Europe's biggest threat at present.

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According to Elizabeth Economy, senior researcher at the Hoover Institution Stanford University, USA, Xi Jinping harbors an undeniable ambition to change the face of the world. Through an article written in the journal Foreign Affairs (May/June 2024), Economy cited Xi's statement at the Central Conference on Foreign Affairs Work, December 2023 , which emphasizes that China—as released in a press statement by the Chinese government—is "a large country that is confident, independent, open and inclusive."

The four pillars of China

China, continued Economy citing Beijing's statement, wants to create the world's largest platform for international cooperation which will lead to reform of the international system. Xi emphasized the concept of world order as "a community with a shared future for mankind", the result of the evolution of China's initiative into an international consensus.

The approach taken by Xi through four programs: Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative.

AFP/RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 16, 2024.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the West has always read Sino-Russian relations through the lens of Cold War-era confrontation and lacks understanding the true meaning of non-alliance cooperation, without confrontation, and not targeting any third party.

Also read: Blinken to Ukraine, Putin to China

According to Li, economic cooperation has stabilized the supply chain of industries and strategic security. This strategic security, coupled with a high level of mutual trust in the long run, is not only for the fundamental interests of the two countries and their citizens. However, it also contributes to global justice as China and Russia can work together against hegemony and unilateralism while maintaining multipolarity.

Taiwan concerns

On the other hand, in Taipei, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu responded to the meeting with caution. He stated that Western countries should continue to send aid to Ukraine as a form of solidarity with its democratic government. So far, even in the U.S., more and more members of Congress are reluctant to continue the aid package for Ukraine.

Wu's concern is because if Russia is allowed to continue invading Ukraine, it will set a bad global precedent. "Later, China could follow suit and take similar actions against Taiwan," he said.

These comments were responded to by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin in China's national daily, Global Times. “The US and the West see everything in black and white. This is because of the Cold War mentality and enemy-seeking behavior. "China does not want to conflict with anyone, we are always on the side of peace," he said. (AP/AFP)