LettersChina-Russia partnership has limits after all
Readers discuss the Xi-Putin meeting, Christian concerns about files on alleged UFOs, and AI chatbots
The Xi-Putin meeting in Beijing, held after Donald Trump’s China visit, was deliberate geopolitical theatre. It showed how Beijing can engage Washington without yielding. Together, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin projected the image of a strong post-Western world order.
Yet the deeper reality is more fragile. China needs Russia as a strategic counterweight against the United States, but does not want to carry Moscow’s war burdens. Russia needs China as an economic lifeline, but does not want to become an appendage. This relationship is driven less by trust than necessity.
Energy remains central. Since the Ukraine war, Russia’s energy flows have shifted eastwards, with China becoming its most important buyer of oil and gas. Russian gas exports to China through the Power of Siberia pipeline reached 38.8 billion cubic metres in 2025. Yet China cannot replace Europe on equal terms. Moscow has lost premium European markets and now faces a Chinese market that has more leverage and options.
The “no limits” partnership has limits. Russia’s priorities are regime survival, war endurance and sanctions evasion. China’s priorities are national rejuvenation, regional primacy and technological supremacy. Their grievances overlap, but their long-term interests do not.