【The China-Russia-US Triad, the US Should Be Envious of This China-Russia Relationship】Recently, diplomats have been extremely busy—the same goes for ground staff at Beijing Capital Airport rolling out red carpets, and young people in welcome lines.
This reflects one key point: the international community comes to understand and engage with China through high-level interactions—this is a vote of trust in China.
Great powers have their own ways and significance in engaging with each other.
Putin’s visit this time first highlights China-Russia interaction. An important angle of observation is the great power triangle relationship among China, Russia, and the US.
Especially with visits occurring back-to-back—a rare and vividly dynamic occurrence.
Putin followed closely behind former President Trump’s visit, indicating that all sides are attempting not to alter the competitive landscape but instead manage the rhythm within the existing framework, seeking room for their own adjustments.
Looking at the coordinated interactions among China, the US, and Russia, they are interlocked like gears—within this triangular relationship, it's impossible to discuss any two sides while ignoring the third.
This uniqueness is determined by great power dynamics, which is also the fundamental difference between great power multilateralism and bilateral or multilateral relations involving smaller and middle-sized countries.
The dense meetings in Beijing among China, the US, and Russia are essentially conveying the "Chinese approach": rejecting outdated Cold War-style alliance confrontation, and establishing stable relationships among major powers as a counterbalance to bloc-based rivalry.
Putin’s visit was a “strategic consultation,” confirming that the essential nature of China-Russia relations will not be altered even if Sino-US relations undergo temporary shifts. China will never secretly harm Russia.
China maintains transparency toward Russia, and Russia reciprocates—this is what we call “strategic mutual trust.”
The reason China and Russia choose to bind themselves together is simple: shared prosperity, shared hardship.
Even though the US and China are separated by the Pacific Ocean, when the US acts recklessly, it can still stir up chaos. Almost every possible area of friction has already been exhausted—only military clashes remain untested.
If relations between the US and China are tense across the Pacific, imagine how dangerous it would be for China and Russia, sharing over 4,000 kilometers of border and both being nuclear powers—if problems arise, it would be no laughing matter.
Therefore, choosing not to be enemies means no fear of betrayal from behind, providing a secure and stable rear base for western development initiatives.
Both nations have chosen cooperation without limits, rather than confrontation with minimal guarantees—effectively resolving numerous long-term concerns.
On NATO’s eastward expansion, China holds its own position.
On America’s involvement in the Asia-Pacific, Russia has its own stance.
For China, even if a Western anti-China coalition exists, as long as Russia does not join, the coalition will not fundamentally transform.
Similarly, for Russia, even if a large-scale anti-Russian coalition were formed, as long as China remains outside, Russia’s sky will not collapse.
It’s precisely because both sides fully understand this reality that the core of China-Russia cooperation has never been about forming an alliance against anyone—it’s about making rational choices: not being enemies, but instead serving as mutual insurance for each other.
This is the most astute choice made by China and Russia—and I believe it’s the only correct relationship.
Is China-Russia closeness aimed at countering the US? Yes, but not entirely.
China-Russia cooperation isn’t meant to target any particular US president—it’s about ensuring that no matter how chaotic any American leader may become, they cannot harm China and Russia.
Thus, China and Russia must coordinate their positions on arms control negotiations, preventing the US from dividing them. Their joint effort is meant to completely eliminate the US’s ambitions.
Together, China and Russia can more effectively contain the attempt by that woman to revive militarism.
This strategic partnership serves as an anchor and stabilizing force.
Projects like the pricing of Siberia-2 gas pipeline, the establishment of a currency settlement system, and the integration of critical mineral supply chains—these are colossal deals between China and Russia, orders of magnitude larger than soybean imports or a few aircraft.
Because China and Russia are thinking long-term, not just about a four-year presidential term.
Regarding ties with Iran, when Foreign Minister Araghchi visited China, he clearly stated that Iran trusts China and hopes that China and Russia can provide political endorsement for a new post-war regional security architecture.
The Persians still have vision—they know where the real leverage lies.
With the US-Iran situation dragging on indefinitely, Iran is waiting for Putin’s and China’s clear signal this time—this is the crux of the matter.
If China and Russia clearly express support for a new order led by regional countries, balancing development and security, this political guarantee becomes Iran’s backbone in the US-Iran struggle, giving it confidence it won’t be utterly isolated by the US.
But the precondition is that Iran must also align with China and Russia’s strategic interests—then there’s a real chance for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In short, Trump came to do business—how much can be done, will be done.
Putin came to confirm how solid the “load-bearing wall” of mutual support between China and Russia truly is.
Business can be replaced with others, but load-bearing walls are the foundation of the entire building.
Anyone who has ever renovated a house knows: before work begins, the contractor must clearly identify which walls must not be demolished—load-bearing walls are off-limits.
China and Russia are neighbors who cannot be moved—the significance of the “load-bearing wall” is even more pronounced.
I feel the US should be quite envious of the current state of China-Russia relations—no matter how hard they try, they can’t break it apart.
Fleas don’t bite eggs without cracks. The aim is to prevent China-Russia tensions from being exploited maliciously by the US, who might endlessly provoke, take advantage of crises, and profit from chaos.
Luckily, both China and Russia see through the US completely.
The “load-bearing wall” will uphold the stability of China-Russia relations today—and well into the future.
This is a blessing for China and Russia.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865702670776508/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.