Why Russia and China are getting closer amid global tensions

Russia and China have built a closer partnership in recent years, shaped less by formal alliance structures and more by overlapping economic needs and shared geopolitical interests.

Analysts say the relationship is asymmetrical, with China holding greater economic leverage, but both sides deriving specific strategic benefits.

The alignment has developed against a strained global backdrop, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and shifting US foreign policy positions under successive administrations, says AL Jazeera.

Experts say the unpredictability of US engagement has contributed to deeper coordination between Moscow and Beijing as both manage complex relations with Washington.

Russia's dependence on China

For Russia, the partnership has become a key economic buffer following sweeping Western sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. With access to European markets reduced, China has emerged as Russia's largest and most important external partner.

Bilateral trade between the two countries more than doubled between 2020 and 2024, reaching $237 billion annually.

China has also become a critical source of industrial and technological inputs. Russia reportedly sources over 90% of its sanctioned technology imports from China, including components used in defence manufacturing and drone production.

Energy trade is another central pillar. With European buyers largely absent, China has become the main destination for Russian oil and other energy exports, providing Moscow with steady external revenue.

China's dependence on Russia

While Russia accounts for a relatively small share of China's overall trade—around 4%—it plays a more strategic role in Beijing's calculations, particularly in energy security and regional stability.

One key factor is diversification of energy supply routes. Amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and broader tensions involving Iran, Russia offers China an overland supply corridor that reduces reliance on maritime shipping lanes considered vulnerable in a crisis.

Infrastructure cooperation remains a priority. Discussions continue around the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would carry 50 billion cubic metres of Russian gas annually to China via Mongolia.

Both countries also coordinate in multilateral forums, frequently aligning positions as permanent members of the UN Security Council to oppose US-led initiatives.

Nature of the relationship

Despite closer coordination, the partnership is not a formal military alliance. Instead, it is described as a strategic alignment based on converging interests.

Military cooperation continues through joint exercises, including the "Joint Sea" naval drills, which signal coordination without binding mutual defence commitments.

Personal diplomacy also plays a role, with both leaders frequently referring to each other as "friends".

Analysts say the relationship is shaped less by shared ideology than by practical considerations, making it more flexible and potentially durable as long as underlying economic and geopolitical incentives remain in place.