China and the United States (US) make up the world’s two largest economies.[1] This leads to an important competition between the two states at both regional and global levels. As a matter of fact, it can be said that this competition has many geopolitical, geoeconomic and geostrategic dimensions. Therefore, the parties are inclined to develop various strategies and seek to achieve advantageous results.
In this context, the USA started to implement the containment strategy against China, which it applied against the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and obtained advantageous results during the Cold War period.[2] For this reason, the rivalry between Washington and Beijing is taking on a regional character.
On the other hand, the Russia-Ukraine War, which started on February 24, 2022, was reflected in the rivalry between the two countries and had an impact on the balance of power. Because China is conducting a campaign against the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In this context, China’s strategy is similar to that of the USSR.
Moreover, although China and Russia may seem to be rivals in the geopolitical sense in the long term, in the short term they are allies in the context of the search for multipolarity expressed through the opposition of the United States and NATO.
Both the prominence of the regional framework of competition arising from Washington’s containment strategy and the appearance of cooperation between Beijing and Moscow through anti-westernism lead to Russia’s involvement in events in the Asia-Pacific Region more than in the past.
In this context, the display of two warships belonging to Russia near Taiwan on June 27, 2023 is very significant.[3] As a matter of fact, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense of Taiwan, on June 23, 2023, Russian frigates were seen both of the east coast of Taiwan and on the north-south line of the Taiwan Strait.[4]
At the same time, the statement in question said that the ships had left Taiwan’s intervention zone, but it did not say how far away they were detected.[5] This can be interpreted as Beijing receiving Moscow’s support in the ongoing Taiwan Crisis between China and the West. In addition, this development can be considered as a challenge to the West by Russia and China.
In addition to all this, Russia’s Interfax News Agency reported on June 23, 2023 that a ship from the Russian Pacific Fleet crossed the South China Sea and then entered the southern regions from a point close to the Philippines.[6] Considering that the Taiwan Crisis, as well as the South China Sea-based disputes, are an important regional issue, it can be stated that Moscow has begun to intervene in the problems in the Asia-Pacific.
As a matter of fact, Beijing claims the South China Sea with a system called the Nine Line Lines.[7] The Philippines is also one of the leading states that feel this problem deeply. The sighting of a Russian ship in this region has clearly demonstrated Moscow’s growing interest in the region and regional problems.
Based on all this information, it can be said that Moscow and Beijing are trying to show that they will carry out joint strategies against the West. Moreover, while Russia is fighting Ukraine on its western border, it may want to send a message that it can also deal with events in its east, and therefore that things are going well for itself from the Russia-Ukraine War.
As a result, although there are some issues that they may face in the long term, it is clear that a unity shaped by deconfliction between China and Russia has been built. However, the future and limits of this union are debatable. It is unclear whether Moscow will be able to support Beijing in a possible hot conflict in the Asia-Pacific.
[1] “The World’s Largest Economies”, World Data Info, https://www.worlddata.info/largest-economies.php, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[2] “The History of Containment Policy”, Thought Co, https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-containment-2361022, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[3] “Japan Says Russian Warships Spotted Near Taiwan, Okinawa Islands, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-says-russian-warships-spotted-near-taiwan-okinawa-islands-2023-07-01/, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[4] Taiwan Detects Two Russian Warships Near Its Waters”, Reuters, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/taiwan-detects-two-russian-warships-near-its-waters, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[5] Taiwan Detects Two Russian Warships Off Its Coast”, The Moscow Times, https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/28/taiwan-detects-two-russian-warships-off-its-coast-a81672, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[6] Russian Warships Spotted off Taiwan’s East Coast ‘on Way Home’ from Komodo Drills”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3225800/russian-warships-spotted-taiwans-east-coast-way-home-komodo-drills, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
[7] “What Is Nine-Dash Line? The Basis of China’s Claim to Sovereignty over South China Sea”, The Print, https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/what-is-nine-dash-line-the-basis-of-chinas-claim-to-sovereignty-over-south-china-sea/469403/, (Date of Accession: 03.07.2023).
