Why China needs Russia more than you think
The article argues that despite Russia's economic dependence on China, Beijing values Moscow for its geopolitical weight, strategic geography, natural resources, and anti-Western worldview. Russia's role as a counterweight to the US, its nuclear arsenal, energy exports, and shared perception of Washington as an adversary make it a pivotal partner for China. The relationship is framed within a trilateral dynamic involving the US, where Russia is not merely a junior partner.
Why it matters: This analysis underscores the geopolitical and strategic dimensions of the China-Russia partnership, relevant to the theme of great-power competition and the evolving global order.