China’s Complex Russia Calculation

Beijing pays lip service to the West as it continues to enable Russia’s military operations

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a signing ceremony following the Russian-Chinese talks on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Sept. 11, 2018. Sergei Chirikov/AFP/Getty Images

Commentary

Beijing is trying to play a clever game by supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine while balancing its actions and rhetoric, in light of the West’s surprisingly strong reaction to the invasion.