The Recent Alignment: Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin

Over the past month, increased interactions between Chinese President⁤ Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have garnered notable attention. These meetings, occurring within the ⁣framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ⁢in Tianjin, China, and during the 80^th anniversary military parade in Beijing commemorating the end of World war II, culminated ⁤in reports of the first joint submarine patrol between the Russian and chinese navies. Putin appears‍ to benefit from the attention xi provides, despite Russia’s invasion⁢ of Ukraine in February 2022 – a sovereign nation ⁢previously assured of security by‍ Russia in 1994.

Despite the devastation in ⁤Ukraine and the substantial casualties on both sides resulting from ⁣russia’s aggression and Putin’s continued refusal to negotiate a ceasefire, Putin continues⁣ to receive international attention. Former President Donald ‍Trump extended an invitation to Putin to discuss ⁢ending the⁢ conflict in Alaska, but this public appeal seemingly failed⁤ to sway the Russian leader.

A Historical Irony: China’s past with Russia

The current support extended by Xi Jinping to the Russian Federation and its leader presents a striking contrast to china’s historical relationship with Russia (and previously, the soviet Union). It raises⁢ questions about awareness within ‍China regarding its complex history with its ‍northern neighbor. Are ‍Chinese textbooks accurately portraying the tensions of the past?

Notably, Russia remains the sole nation that has not returned territory seized⁤ from China during the “Century of Humiliation” ⁤- a period of unequal treaties and foreign encroachment on a weakened China⁤ during the⁤ 19^th century and the Qing dynasty. The ⁢treaty of Peking (1860) ceded⁢ land east of the Ussuri River to the pacific ocean, including Vladivostok, representing over 1.5 million square⁤ kilometers transferred to the Russian Empire. While other colonial powers have relinquished their ⁢holdings – ⁣Britain returning Hong Kong, kowloon, and the New ⁢Territories ⁤in 1997, and Portugal returning Macau in 1999 – Russia has not.

Consider the events ⁣of 1969. The Soviet Union deployed 42 divisions – exceeding one million troops – along⁣ the Chinese border, with intelligence suggesting Moscow contemplated a nuclear ⁣strike against Chinese nuclear facilities. That year also witnessed a military clash on the Ussuri River, resulting in ⁢casualties on both sides.

The ⁣Century of ⁣Humiliation and Territorial‍ Disputes

China’s‍ “Century of Humiliation” (1839-1949)⁢ was marked by a series of⁤ unequal treaties imposed by western powers and Japan. These‍ treaties resulted in significant territorial concessions and economic exploitation. However, Russia’s actions during this period stand out due to the substantial ⁤land grab and the continued refusal to return it.

Xi Jinping’s Nationalistic Rhetoric and Implications

At the centennial of the Chinese communist Party on⁣ July 1, 2021, Xi Jinping emphasized China’s historical grievances, stating⁣ that after the Opium War of 1840, China was reduced to a “semi-colonial, semi-feudal society.” This rhetoric underscores a nationalistic narrative focused on reclaiming China’s past glory and rectifying historical injustices. The continued Russian occupation⁣ of Chinese territory arguably contradicts this narrative.

China’s support for Russia, despite this historical context, suggests a pragmatic calculation prioritizing current geopolitical⁣ interests. These interests likely include countering U.S. influence,⁤ securing ⁢energy supplies, and fostering a multipolar world order. However, this alignment also ⁤carries risks, ‍perhaps damaging ⁢China’s international reputation and fueling concerns about its