During his official visit to Russia on Tuesday, April 2, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the China-Russia partnership not only benefits the two nations but also supports global multipolarity and the democratization of international relations. Wang emphasized that as global powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia bear special responsibilities for world peace and development.[1]
The relationship between China and Russia is progressing in a direction that supports a multipolar world order. By strengthening their strategic cooperation, both parties continuously advance their mutually beneficial bilateral relations. As a result, alliances formed with third parties are shaped in a way that promotes peace and stability without leading to conflict. Because this approach supports the presence of different poles through new alliances and diplomatic solutions, aiming to create a more balanced global structure.
Wang also noted that China-Russia relations serve as a new model of major-power relations and represent a stabilizing force in a turbulent and changing world. He added that the principle of “no alliance, no confrontation, and no targeting of third parties” is a pioneering initiative in international relations and an inevitable choice for the development of China-Russia ties.[2]
The relationship between China and Russia symbolizes a new approach to the global order beyond a simple partnership between two countries. This approach serves as a model for other nations in preserving global stability and adopting a more constructive path. It fosters a foundation for more balanced and constructive collaborations among countries instead of polarization and encourages the development of a more just and inclusive environment for addressing global issues.
Wang further emphasized the importance of defending fair and regular multipolarity, enhancing close cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, amplifying the unified voice of the Global South, enabling it to become more self-reliant, and moving towards a community with a shared future for humanity.[3] Namely, cooperation between the two countries also has the potential to reinforce strong multilateral collaboration. This, in turn, will enhance the stability of the global order while increasing the representation of the Global South on the international stage.
On one hand, cooperation through platforms like BRICS supports a multipolar order by offering alternatives to Western-centered financial systems, providing developing countries with low and middle incomes access to financial resources to assist in their development. On the other hand, platforms like the SCO, which focus on regional security, support joint efforts against potential security threats, enhance trust among nations, and strengthen diplomatic dialogue.
Developments in China-Russia cooperation also contribute to the support of technology and infrastructure investments. Russia is integrating into China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). With various infrastructure, energy, and commercial projects, Russia’s integration into the Asian market has accelerated, and China’s presence across broader geographies through the BRI has become more feasible. Similar to other forms of cooperation, this also provides financing and sustainable development opportunities for developing countries and enables the creation of more balanced, multilateral alternatives in global trade.
Given the current Western pressure, China-Russia bilateral cooperation creates an environment of economic solidarity through alternative markets and financial systems. China is Russia’s largest trading partner, while Russia plays a key role in China’s energy supply. Under the BRI, progress has also been made in logistical cooperation through railways, ports, and trade hubs.
China’s cooperation with Russia, in light of the ongoing Ukraine crisis, has caused tensions in its relations with the West and led to increasingly complex economic ties with Europe. Although relations between Europe and China are progressing positively in some areas, ongoing disagreements remain in trade policies. This has resulted in disruptions in mutual trade between China and the European Union (EU) and caused supply issues. Therefore, the strategic partnership between China and Russia not only impacts global politics but also has transformative effects on commercial and industrial dynamics.
As this bilateral cooperation strengthens and the strategic partnership between China and Russia expands in economic, political, and military fields, the existing Western-centered order will gradually be replaced by more multipolar, multi-centered structures, weakening its overall influence. This will prompt the United States and its allies to develop new strategies. In this context, the West is expected to strengthen ties with its Indo-Pacific allies, diversify economic sanctions, or enhance diplomatic dialogues to maintain its position.
With the growing influence of China and Russia in alternative political and economic spheres, the Western and U.S.-centered global structure will weaken, initiating a process toward a system where regional powers play a more decisive role. Although the West and the U.S. will not completely lose their power, their policies toward China and Russia will gradually lose impact, and China and Russia will emerge as more prominent actors in the global system in the coming period.
[1] “China-Russia ties benefit global multipolarity: Chinese FM”, Xinhua News Agency,https://english.news.cn/20250401/98f771b7de954e53957b1bf93300aa0f/c.html, (Date Accession: 02.04.2025).
[2] Same Source.
[3] “Russian President Putin meets with visiting Chinese FM”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331359.shtml, (Date Accession: 02.04.2025).
