Russia shows readiness to unite with China to counter US influence in Asia-Pacific
Spokeswoman of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova attends a press conference held by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers of the BRICS group of nations in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia on June 11, 2024. Photo REUTERS
Russia stated on Wednesday that its partnership with China is not directed against other countries, but the two powers could unite their capabilities if confronted with a threat from the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasised that Moscow and Beijing would respond to US efforts at 'double containment' with a 'double counteraction'. This comment was made in response to a query regarding a potential deployment of US missiles in Japan.
According to a report by The Japan Times on 7 September, the U.S. has shown interest in stationing a Typhon mid-range missile system in Japan for joint military drills. Zakharova highlighted that both Russia and China would react to any significant missile threat and that their response would go beyond mere political gestures, a stance both nations have affirmed repeatedly.
She further explained that the strategic partnership between Russia and China is defensive, not offensive. "Our relations are not aimed at other countries... and double counteraction does not contradict this. It is a defensive stance, not an initiative to target others," Zakharova said, responding to a question from Reuters. "But if an aggressive policy is launched against us from a single source, why shouldn't we combine our strengths to respond appropriately?"
In 2022, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping signed a "no limits" partnership agreement, just weeks before Putin's forces entered Ukraine. In May of this year, they agreed to deepen their "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" for a new era.
While no formal military alliance has been declared, Putin recently described the two nations as "allies in every sense of the word". Russia and China have also conducted joint military exercises, including naval drills that commenced on Tuesday. Putin, overseeing these manoeuvres, warned the US against attempts to overpower Russia by increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.