AiBotBeijing – In an exclusive interview, Dr. Yu Jie, a renowned China foreign policy expert at Chatham House, shed light on China’s strategic priorities, particularly its complex relationship with Russia. Dr. Yu’s insights underscore the intricacies of China’s foreign policy, which diverges from Russia’s assertive posture towards the West.
China and Russia share a 4,300-kilometer border, presenting a significant challenge for Beijing. According to Dr. Yu, managing the Sino-Russian relationship effectively is paramount for China. “China’s priority number one is to maintain a stable and cooperative relationship with its northern neighbor,” Dr. Yu emphasized.
A common thread among both China and Russia, he noted, is their shared dissatisfaction with the current US-led unilateral Western world order. “Both countries feel that the existing international system is unfair and biased against their interests,” Dr. Yu explained. This sentiment, he added, is driven by a perceived double standard wherein the West applies different rules and norms to its own members than to countries like China and Russia.
However, a crucial distinction emerges when comparing China’s approach to Russia’s. Dr. Yu stressed that China has no interest in adopting ultra-confrontational tactics against the West, unlike Russia’s current stance. China’s economic success and increasing global influence, he pointed out, have been achieved within the existing US-dominated world order of the past eight decades. “China’s success story is deeply intertwined with the international system, and it prefers to maintain a constructive relationship with the West,” Dr. Yu observed.
Instead, Beijing seeks to create a multipolar world where it plays a more significant role in shaping the agenda. In this vision, China is not merely a rule-taker but an equal partner in setting the global agenda. Dr. Yu underscored that China’s foreign policy is not aimed at toppling the existing world order but at reforming it to reflect its growing power and influence.
In the context of the current global power dynamics, Dr. Yu noted that China’s relationship with Russia is multifaceted. While there are areas of cooperation, such as on the Belt and Road Initiative and energy cooperation, there are also tensions and differences, particularly regarding the handling of Ukraine and other regional issues.
As China continues to navigate its complex foreign policy landscape, Dr. Yu’s insights provide valuable context for understanding Beijing’s priorities and aspirations. By prioritizing cooperation with Russia while pursuing a multipolar world order, China seeks to redefine its role in the international system and shape a more equitable global landscape that reflects its growing influence.