China supports the potential meeting among the leaders of China, Russia, and the United States during the November APEC summit.

On September 30, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported that Zhang Hanhui, Chinese Ambassador to Russia, said in an interview with the publication that a trilateral meeting between the leaders of China, Russia, and the United States on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen would carry significant implications for shaping a multipolar world.

The 33rd APEC Summit is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen on November 18–19. Participants are expected to discuss regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence, supply chain stability amid trade disputes, and regional economic integration. However, the most anticipated event at this year’s forum may be a potential summit among the heads of state of China, Russia, and the United States.

Zhang Hanhui highly valued the potential of such a dialogue. “I believe this would be very beneficial. If such a trilateral meeting can be organized, it would greatly contribute to the development and construction of a multipolar world. China, Russia, and the United States are all permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global powers. The future of the world lies in our hands,” he stated.

He emphasized that Moscow, Beijing, and Washington should jointly address issues in economic and security domains, noting that no single nation can resolve global challenges alone.

“All countries should learn from China and Russia’s experience in building relations between major powers and neighboring states. We will work together to contribute to global economic development and the maintenance of international peace and stability,” he added.

The report noted that all three parties are exploring arrangements for such a meeting, though Chinese officials have maintained diplomatic caution. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the ministry currently has no specific information regarding leadership-level meetings. Meanwhile, prior to his formal meeting with Chinese leaders at the White House, former U.S. President Trump personally confirmed his attendance at the APEC summit and underscored that extensive negotiations would take place between the two sides.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov previously revealed that the idea of holding such a meeting has been discussed among the three parties. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin would attend the summit but indicated that no final agreement on a trilateral meeting had yet been reached. Russian APEC official and Ambassador to the Foreign Ministry Borisov stated that all three major leaders would gather in Shenzhen, describing the trilateral meeting as “practically feasible.”

Konstantin Burov, senior researcher at the Center for Security Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, argued that if held, the core agenda of a China-Russia-U.S. summit would center on the reconfiguration of the global security architecture and international order. As the three largest powers in the world, the absence of their participation would render any crisis unresolvable—even American analysts acknowledge this reality.

Burov pointed out that numerous agreements were reached during the Cold War era, many of which remain valid in the post-Soviet period. However, the United States has since withdrawn from several key treaties: the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) is set to expire in February 2026. In practice, clear rules for strategic competition are now absent, and under conditions of global instability, world leaders must renegotiate the framework governing international relations.

The New START Treaty presents a particularly acute challenge. The central dispute lies in the U.S. demand that China join the treaty—otherwise, it refuses to extend or renew it. China counters that Russia and the United States hold over 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, and that China sees no rationale for joining until its own nuclear stockpile reaches comparable levels. Russia has proposed including the nuclear forces of Britain and France in the treaty framework. This impasse has stalled negotiations, and the upcoming summit may offer a platform for breakthrough discussions.

Yet Burov cautioned against expecting dramatic progress. Some have suggested replicating the Yalta model of dividing spheres of influence—a notion that is not viable under current geopolitical realities. The West would not accept a consolidation of influence by China and Russia that limits U.S. reach. The Yalta Agreement succeeded because the Soviet Union had defeated Nazi Germany, leaving Western powers in a weaker position. No such decisive military victory exists today. Washington continues to prioritize power-based diplomacy, seeking to maintain strategic balance and prevent excessive expansion of Russian and Chinese capabilities.

Yekaterina Zakharizmskaya, senior researcher at the Institute of World Politics and Strategic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, argued that even without tangible outcomes, merely convening such a meeting would constitute a major achievement in itself. The summit could serve as a first step toward resolving long-standing political tensions. This concept echoes earlier U.S. proposals for a “G2” arrangement—co-leadership between China and the United States. Chinese officials have repeatedly aligned the goal of national rejuvenation with Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” vision. However, as Russia’s influence continues to grow, the G2 model has become increasingly impractical.

Burov assessed that the Ukraine issue would inevitably arise during the talks. China might propose mediation, but the United States is likely to remain skeptical. The White House would view deep Chinese involvement in a peace process as a concession by the U.S.

Zakharizmskaya noted that finding a solution acceptable to all three parties on the Taiwan Strait remains extremely difficult. The situation around Taiwan remains a cornerstone of America’s long-term strategy to contain China. At best, the status quo may be preserved. To avoid escalation, the three sides might instead agree on informal understandings.

The report concluded that the potential summit among the three nuclear powers draws intense global attention because China, Russia, and the United States now bear primary responsibility for shaping the world’s future. They have a unique opportunity to build a new global security architecture. Their decisions will shape international relations for decades to come. Yet deep-seated mistrust and conflicting geopolitical interests will constrain what can be achieved through dialogue.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1877732613325827/

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