When the coronavirus outbreak occurred in Wuhan, China, Russia closed the border and cut off flights with China, much earlier than Europe. However, this step cannot be regarded as a negative step.
About this writes the German “Deutschlandfunk” edition.
As noted in the media, Russia and China have pragmatically approached the realities of the coronavirus era. The citizens of the PRC were provided with the opportunity to leave Russia, the issue of the supply of goods was settled. Moreover, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping regularly contacted, discussing cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.
In this regard, the publication asks the question: why countries, which should be competitors, help each other, instead of using the situation for pressure?
Countering the coronavirus is not the only area where Russia and China are actively cooperating. In the fall of 2018, the Chinese military was involved in large-scale Russian military exercises; at the end of 2019, warships of Russia, China and Iran deployed maneuvers in the Indian Ocean.
At the same time, China is actively buying Russian weapons and military technology. In particular, two years ago the People’s Liberation Army of China received the S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems.
If we talk about diplomatic cooperation between the two powers, there is clear solidarity here. For example, Russia does not threaten or accuse China over the Hong Kong national security law. Moscow says that this is the internal affairs of the PRC and criticizes the United States for anti-Chinese sanctions.
“Arms deals, similar interests in the UN Security Council, or mutual assistance in the coronavirus pandemic: Moscow and Beijing are theoretically in systemic competition, but at present, both sides should not be too open about this rivalry. The partnership is expected to become even closer”, – the newspaper said.