While Xi Jinping sees Russia as a declining economic power with limited global reach beyond its impressive military capabilities, he nonetheless recognizes great value in Moscow being prepared to act far more adventurously than China itself. Moscow has always been prepared to push back, both militarily and in foreign policy, against the Americans and Europeans much more aggressively than Beijing. This suits Xi well, as Russia’s international reputation as a potential global “spoiler” has enabled China to project an image of being a more conservative, consultative, and responsible actor in the
...more
