Will China offer Russia financial help?
A bit. But it will mostly seek to learn from Russia’s mistakes
IF YOU BELIEVE China’s diplomats, relations with Russia are “rock solid” and the friendship between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has “no limits”. Western sanctions are about to put those warm words to the test. Russia needs an economic and financial lifeline. It would like to use China as a conduit through which to continue trading with the rest of the world. China, however, must strike a delicate balance between helping Mr Putin stand up to their joint rival, America, and retaining its own access to the global financial system. No doubt to Mr Putin’s regret, its financial aid to Russia is likely to be qualified at best.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Will China help Russia?”
From the March 12th 2022 edition
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