Russia and China partnership: A growing threat to the USA and Europe

[FearlessRoar]

The deepening partnership between Russia and China presents a significant and evolving challenge to the interests of the United States and Europe. This alliance is reshaping global dynamics, particularly in economic, military, and diplomatic spheres.

Economically, Russia and China are enhancing cooperation, reducing reliance on Western markets, and asserting influence in key sectors like trade and energy. This shift could weaken Western economic dominance and alter global trade dynamics.

Militarily, joint exercises, technology sharing, and arms cooperation highlight a growing alignment in defense strategies. This poses challenges to NATO and Western security alliances, potentially altering the balance of power.

Diplomatically, Russia and China are united in opposing Western interventions and promoting alternative governance models. Their actions challenge Western-led initiatives and advocate for a multipolar world order.

While the Russia-China partnership poses clear challenges, it also offers opportunities for engagement on shared global issues. Western policymakers must adopt a strategic approach that balances vigilance with cooperation to address these evolving dynamics effectively.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin thanks Xi for China's initiatives on Ukraine​

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that Russia was advancing "on all fronts" in Ukraine.

Still, Putin said he was "grateful" to China for trying to find a solution to the war in Ukraine.

"We are grateful to our Chinese friends and colleagues for the initiatives they are putting forward to resolve this problem," Putin said, speaking along side Xi.

The EU and the US had recently called on Xi to use his influence to pressure Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

The Russian president made the remarks during a two-day state visit to China, his first trip abroad since the latest elections in Russia.

Putin was welcomed by Chinese officials as well as a military honor guard when he touched down, before he was greeted by Xi at a grand welcoming ceremony outside central Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Both Russian and Chinese state media covered the arrival, carrying remarks by two leaders in which they hailed their relations.

"Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone," Putin said, adding: "Our cooperation in international matters is one of the stabilizing factors in the international arena."

Xi then told Putin that "China-Russia relations [are] not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries... but also conducive to peace," according to a readout from Beijing's Foreign Ministry.

"China is ready to work with Russia to... uphold fairness and justice in the world," he added.

On the topic of security in the Asia-Pacific region, Putin called for building a security landscape that excludes "closed military-political alliances," which he described as "very harmful" and "counterproductive."

A joint statement issued after the meeting between Xi and Putin focused on "deepening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation entering a new era."

Russia and China "are determined to defend their legitimate rights and interests, resist any attempts to hinder the normal development of bilateral ties, interfere in the internal affairs of the two states, and limit the economic, technological or foreign policy potential of Russia and China," it said.

In a statement, both sides expressed concern over what they called US efforts to violate the strategic nuclear balance, global US missile defenses that threaten Russia and China, and U.S plans for high-precision non-nuclear weapons.

They also stressed the need to stop all steps that prolong the fighting and further escalate the Ukrainian conflict. The sides emphasized that dialogue is a good way to resolve it.

The statement also said that China and Russia will work together to ensure the economic security and energy security of the two countries.

The two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen energy and carbon markets, and work together on large-scale energy projects by enterprises from both countries, it said.

In 2022, Beijing and Moscow described their relationship as having "no limits" just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Beijing has benefitted from supporting Moscow by receiving cheap gas and oil. Still, China has increasingly come under pressure from Western nations with its banks facing the threat of US sanctions that could interrupt Chinese access to international financial markets.

Prior to the trip, the Kremlin said Putin and Xi would "define key areas of development in Russian-Chinese cooperation, and exchange views on international and regional issues" during discussions on the "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" between their nations.

Ahead of Putin's trip, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summed up the partnership between the two authoritarian nations, saying that Moscow and Beijing were "objectively interested in maintaining our lead in efforts to establish a more fair and democratic world order."

Both leaders recently changed their respective nations' constitutions to maintain power for life and are accused of using their nations' military heft to intimidate their neighbors.

Putin thanks Xi for China's initiatives on Ukraine – DW – 05/16/2024

During a state visit to Beijing, the Russian president said he was "grateful" for Chinese efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

www.dw.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

In my opinion, China and Russia strategic partnership is a death knell for the west and India too.

 

[JaDed]

In my opinion, China and Russia strategic partnership is a death knell for the west and India too.

Naw India will manoeuver it, if anything you will see our foreign technocrats use this as a way to allow West to be ok with India getting their way on oil with Russia and trade with Iran.

This is good for India, gives GOI more leverage to deal with West.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

To be enemy of US is bad but to be a friend of it is fatal: Henry Kissinger. May be India will realize this soon, US doesn't like states with no clear affiliation.

Naw India will manoeuver it, if anything you will see our foreign technocrats use this as a way to allow West to be ok with India getting their way on oil with Russia and trade with Iran.

This is good for India, gives GOI more leverage to deal with West.

 

[JaDed]

To be enemy of US is bad but to be a friend of it is fatal: Henry Kissinger. May be India will realize this soon, US doesn't like states with no clear affiliation.

Yeah that was when US had Nixon, UAE-QATAR-TURKEY-Japan-Skorea regularly do this with US, bipolar world now suits everyone.

China is a bigger threat to US than Russia ever was, there is no point for US to take on India..India is just making money for its citizens, who are poorer, thats exactly what Imran was trying to do.
We did that with oil and will happen with trade , nuclear energy etc..

 

[FearlessRoar]

Naw India will manoeuver it, if anything you will see our foreign technocrats use this as a way to allow West to be ok with India getting their way on oil with Russia and trade with Iran.

This is good for India, gives GOI more leverage to deal with West.

No bro it's not same as before. India-Russia relations are facing some issues. Russia wants to strengthen ties quickly, but India is being more careful because of Russia Ukraine war. Even though India is buying more Russian oil, which boosts trade, it doesn't mean the partnership is getting much stronger. There are basic economic problems that stop them from growing closer.

Russia is now closer to China because they have common goals, like countering Western influence and boosting their economic and military ties. The Ukraine conflict has made Russia depend more on China for support, bringing them even closer together.

 

[JaDed]

No bro it's not same as before. India-Russia relations are facing some issues. Russia wants to strengthen ties quickly, but India is being more careful because of Russia Ukraine war. Even though India is buying more Russian oil, which boosts trade, it doesn't mean the partnership is getting much stronger. There are basic economic problems that stop them from growing closer.

Russia is now closer to China because they have common goals, like countering Western influence and boosting their economic and military ties. The Ukraine conflict has made Russia depend more on China for support, bringing them even closer together.

India shouldn’t be so close to Russia as well , it’s one of the reasons we got bankrupted in 1991 our trade was only with them.

India has manoeuvred its relations well after 1991, no point isolating US or Russia or Iran.

Russia China might be close, but doesn’t mean China will stop trading with West.

 

[FearlessRoar]

India shouldn’t be so close to Russia as well , it’s one of the reasons we got bankrupted in 1991 our trade was only with them.

India has manoeuvred its relations well after 1991, no point isolating US or Russia or Iran.

Russia China might be close, but doesn’t mean China will stop trading with West.

Of course, China won't stop trading with the West. It's Russia that is dependent on China for their economy. But definitely, Russia is not dependent on India for its economy because cheap oil is needed by India.

 

[JaDed]

Of course, China won't stop trading with the West. It's Russia that is dependent on China for their economy. But definitely, Russia is not dependent on India for its economy because cheap oil is needed by India.

Why would Russia be dependent upon India? Only one country is actually dependent upon India and thats Nepal due to being landlocked.

India doesn’t need dependency it just needs trade.
I sense you have binary mindset on Geo-politics and trade.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Why would Russia be dependent upon India? Only one country is actually dependent upon India and thats Nepal due to being landlocked.

India doesn’t need dependency it just needs trade.
I sense you have binary mindset on Geo-politics and trade.

Gradually China’s influence in Nepal is growing through investments and infrastructure projects.

 

[JaDed]

Gradually China’s influence in Nepal is growing through investments and infrastructure projects.

And it should, Nepal deserves better than what Congress ever gave it historically which created all the issues.

Bangladesh is the smartest they get investments from India China US EU

 

[BouncerGuy]

Putin to push growing Moscow-Beijing trade in China's northeast

After sealing pledges of a "new era" of strategic partnership with China's Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday is set to highlight the growing importance of trade near the Russian border in China's northeast.

Putin ends his two-day, red-carpet visit to China in Harbin in Heilongjiang province, which has long-running trade and cultural ties to Russia, touring a Russian-China Expo and a forum on interregional cooperation.

Facing political isolation and Western sanctions over Russia's two-year-old invasion of Ukraine, Putin is increasingly turning to China to support its war economy.

Amid the pomp of a full state visit, Putin and Xi signed a joint statement on Thursday that hailed the "new era", countering the U.S. across a sweep of security and economic issues and a shared global view.

"The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it," Xi told Putin.

"China is willing to... jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world."

The joint statement fleshes out the "no limits" partnership the two declared in February 2022, days before Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into neighbouring Ukraine, launching the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

Lai, who also goes by William, has been vice president for the past four years.

Beijing is helping Moscow's war effort by providing drone and missile technology, satellite imagery and machine tools, U.S. officials said last month, although China says it has not provided weaponry to any party.

Russia's isolation from other powers has fuelled its trade with China, which surged 26.3% last year to a record $240.1, Chinese customs data shows. Russia has overtaken Saudi Arabia as China's top source of crude oil, with shipments jumping more than 24% despite Western sanctions.

An editorial in China's state-controlled Global Times newspaper on Friday cited the importance of burgeoning trade ties to the wider relationship, saying China had been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 straight years.

"These achievements are not easy and have been achieved by both countries overcoming various external challenges and unfavorable factors, highlighting the solid foundation of the China-Russia relationship," the editorial said.

Putin is flanked by a large trade delegation, which includes Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina.

Others include the heads of Russia's largest banks - Sberbank (SBER.MM), opens new tab CEO German Gref and VTB (VTBR.MM), opens new tab chief Andrei Kostin - billionaire Oleg Deripaska, top oil producer Rosneft (ROSN.MM), opens new tab chief Igor Sechin and liquefied natural gas giant Novatek's boss, Leonid Mikhelson.

It was not immediately clear if Putin would make any further stops in Asia.

REUTERS

 

[FearlessRoar]

German defence industry says it will need government help to reduce dependence on China​

German arms producers will need help from the government if they are to reduce their dependency on Chinese materials and still be able to compete with U.S. companies, Germany's defence industry association said.

Hans Christoph Atzpodien, head of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie (BDSV), said the U.S. defence industry had, under government pressure, widely shed their dependency on Beijing in recent years.

German arms producers have not been forced to follow suit, but are bound to come under pressure to do so sooner or later, Atzpodien said.

"If we don't follow their (U.S.) example, we will eventually come under pressure (to do so)," he told Reuters in an interview this week.

Berlin's awareness of the situation has increased but the domestic defence industry is still waiting for concrete steps to be taken, he said.

"One could consider establishing national reserves for resources that are especially crucial," he said, alluding to existing oil and gas reserves.

"One could also follow the American example and use public money to reduce dependencies (on China) in the making of defence products, paying a premium for goods that have been manufactured without Chinese raw materials."

CHINA STRATEGY​

U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports, and Germany is also concerned by the flood of cheaper imports from China.

Berlin outlined the need to reduce strategic dependencies on Chinese goods in its first China strategy announcement last year, citing "unfair practises" and political differences. The U.S. overtook China as Germany's most important trading partner in the first quarter of this year, according to Reuters' calculations based on official data.

Anxiety about alleged Chinese spying - dismissed by Beijing - has also grown, with three German nationals arrested last month on suspicion of handing over technology with military applications.

Atzpodien warned that German arms producers' business would be at risk if war broke out between China and Taiwan, which China says is part of its territory.

He said that such a war could trigger sanctions on Beijing that German companies would have to comply with, or China would cut exports of raw materials used by the defence industry.

Under such scenarios, U.S. arms makers would have an advantage as, having reduced their dependency on China, they could offer their products "sanctions-free".

The German defence industry depends heavily on Chinese raw materials such as rare earths, with Beijing mining 69% of rare earths globally and processing 86%, according to official figures.

China also dominates the mining of other resources crucial for the defence industry, with a share of 74% for graphite and 78% for wolfram, according to the figures. China also accounts for more than 90% of global magnesium processing - essential for the production of aluminium - and more than 80% of germanium.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/german-defence-industry-says-it-will-need-government-help-reduce-dependence-2024-05-17/?taid=66477a6268280a0001d45f5a&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin's 'Revenge': Georgia's Jailed Ex-President Urges West to Act​

Mikheil Saakashvili—once the revolutionary great hope of Georgia's pro-Western groundswell—cannot be a part of the historic showdown paralyzing a nation long caught between Europe and Russia.

The former president—jailed since 2021 on charges he says are politically motivated—told Newsweek in an exclusive interview that he must follow the latest developments from afar, having been "isolated to the maximum" from the outside world.

Saakashvili's fellow pro-Western Georgians are engaged in a renewed struggle they see as existential. The Georgian Dream government—said to be controlled by secretive oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili—is, for the second time in two years, attempting to pass a foreign agent registration law that critics say will muzzle democratic opposition and civil society.

Protesters have dubbed it the "Russian Law," due to its similarity with the legislation that since 2012 has allowed President Vladimir Putin to further choke domestic dissent in Russia.

Georgian Dream says the measure is needed to fight malign foreign interference. Protesters say the proposal will kill Georgia's European Union and NATO ambitions and open the door to new levels of Kremlin influence.

"The Kremlin has everything to gain from this law," Saakashvili said. "The law is leading to the isolation of Georgia, and it means it stays at the mercy of Russia."

Putin's "revenge": Georgia's jailed ex-president urges West to act

Mikheil Saakashvili told Newsweek that Moscow "has everything to gain" from Georgia passing its controversial "foreign agent" law.

www.newsweek.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

UK accuses China of providing ‘lethal aid’ to Russia for Ukraine war​

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps has accused China of providing or preparing to provide Russia with “lethal aid” for use by Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

“Today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine,” Shapps told a defence conference in London on Wednesday.

The defence secretary said new US and British intelligence showed “lethal aid is now or will be flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine”, which Shapps said was “a significant development”.

His comments appeared to indicate that China had potentially pivoted to directly supporting Russia’s military in Ukraine, though he gave no details or evidence.

Even as Chinese companies have emerged as Russia’s key conduit for crucial components the Kremlin needs to sustain its defence industry, Beijing has largely shied away from helping Moscow’s war machine directly.

The US has warned China of consequences, which could include secondary sanctions, if its companies support the Russian war effort.

China has stopped short of backing the invasion, but offered Russia a crucial economic lifeline after western sanctions cut Moscow out of global markets and supply chains.

Shapps said an increase in trade between China and Russia since the start of the invasion showed the two countries had developed a “deeper relationship”.

His comments follow a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing last week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Putin was accompanied by his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, and security council chief Sergei Shoigu, who joined him for multiple rounds of talks in China including a closed-door dinner with Xi.

Western countries have been on the lookout for signs that Beijing might be providing weapons to Russia. Last month, the Chinese embassy in the US said it had not provided weaponry and that it was “not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis”.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said during a visit to China in late April that there were no signs Beijing was sending weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.

“What China is doing, or what some of its enterprises are doing, is to provide critical components for Russia’s defence industrial base, things like machine tools, microelectronics and optics,” Blinken said.

But the US this month sanctioned Chinese companies including two groups that allegedly supplied Russia with drones, weapons and ammunition, in addition to chips, sensors and other military-related technology.

Both Ukraine and Russia have struggled with shortages of weaponry and ammunition.

Russia has turned to North Korea, securing more than a million rounds of artillery shells as well as ballistic missiles. Iran has also supplied kamikaze drones to the Russian armed forces. As for Ukraine, the US last month approved long-delayed $61bn IN military aid to Kyiv.

Shapps revelation is the latest in a series of warnings made by UK officials about Beijing’s actions. These have included claims of Chinese cyber attacks targeting politicians and Britain’s electoral watchdog. An alleged Chinese hack that accessed the data of hundreds of thousands of UK defence ministry staff was also reported this month.

The UK defence ministry, the Kremlin, the Chinese foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US questions UK claims that China is providing ‘lethal aid’ to Russia

Jake Sullivan says he ‘had not seen’ intelligence showing collaboration ‘on combat equipment’

www.ft.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pentagon says Russia launched 'likely' space weapon in orbit of US satellite​

“Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit,” Pentagon spokesman Air Force Major General Pat Ryder told a press briefing late Tuesday.

The Russian “counter-space weapon” launched on May 16 was deployed “into the same orbit as a US government satellite,” he said.

Ryder added that Washington would continue to monitor the situation and was ready to protect its interests.

“We have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the domain, the space domain, and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force,” he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment when asked about reports that Moscow had launched a space weapon.

“I can’t comment on this in any way. We act absolutely in accordance with international law, do not violate anything, and have repeatedly advocated banning any weapons in space,” he told a regular press briefing in Moscow.

“Unfortunately, these initiatives of ours were rejected, including by the USA.”

Earlier Tuesday, Moscow accused the United States of seeking to weaponize space after Washington joined other members of the Security Council in voting down a Russian non-proliferation resolution at the United Nations.

“They have once again demonstrated that their true priorities in the area of outer space are aimed not at keeping space free from weapons of any kind, but at placing weapons in space and turning it into an arena for military confrontation,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

The world powers have traded accusations over weaponizing space in recent months.

They have proposed rival non-proliferation resolutions at the UN as part of the spat.

Russia vetoed the US initiative last month, while Moscow’s proposal failed after receiving only seven votes in support, with seven against, and one abstention, on Monday.

US envoy Robert Wood said Russia’s proposal, which called on all countries to “take urgent measures to prevent for all time the placement of weapons in outer space”, was a distraction and accused Moscow of “diplomatic gaslighting”.

He said that Russia’s “likely” counter-space weapon was “presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit”.

“Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon into the same orbit as a US government satellite,” he said in remarks ahead of Monday’s vote.

“Russia’s May 16 launch follows prior Russian satellite launches likely of counter-space systems to low Earth orbit in 2019 and 2022.”

In February, the White House said Russia was developing an anti-satellite weapon, the existence of which was confirmed after lawmakers warned of an unspecified but serious threat to national security.

Pentagon says Russia launched 'likely' space weapon in orbit of US satellite

Russia has launched a likely space weapon and deployed it in the same orbit as a US government satellite, the Pentagon said.

www.france24.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Zelensky accuses Russia and China of undermining summit​

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia and China of attempting to undermine his upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland.

He said Russia was trying to dissuade other states from attending the event, and that China was working to do this as well.
Speaking at an Asian security forum, he also said there were “elements of Russia’s weaponry” that come from China.

China says it does not side with either side of the Ukraine war, a position that has been increasingly questioned particularly by the US.

Beijing is accused of aiding Moscow by sending components for weapons. It is also seen as propping up the Russian economy by purchasing vast quantities of oil and gas, softening the impact of Western sanctions.

Mr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore attended by defence chiefs from around the world, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese defence minister Dong Jun.

The visit was aimed at drumming up support from Asian countries. Besides meeting regional leaders, he also urged delegates to attend his summit due to be held later in June.

Mr Zelensky said it would focus on achieving nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children held in Russia.

So far 106 countries said they would send high-level representatives or their leaders to the summit, he said.

Russia has not been invited and China is not attending.

A formal invitation was not issued to Russia as Moscow had told Switzerland early on that it did not want to participate, the BBC understands.

Mr Zelensky claimed that Russia was attempting to disrupt the summit by pressuring countries not to attend, through threats of a blockade of agricultural goods, chemical goods, and energy.

Certain countries were assisting this “diplomatic disruption”, he added.

He named China later on, and said it was “working for countries to not come to the peace summit”, unlike the US which has promised to send a high-level representative and is encouraging others to attend.

China's foreign ministry had said that the conference "should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine" and equal participation. "Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace," a spokeswoman said on Friday.

Mr Zelensky also said China's leader Xi Jinping had earlier promised him they would “stand aside in this war and would not support Russia with weapons”.

But, he added, there are now “elements that are part of Russia’s weaponry” that come from China, according to various intelligence agencies. He called for China to maintain a “consistent” position.

The US has said that China is helping Russia make more munitions, armoured vehicles and missiles. It estimates about 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China.

Earlier on Sunday, Chinese defence minister Dong Jun said they do not supply weapons to either party of the Ukraine conflict.

He also said they have put "strict controls" on the exports of dual-use technology, which are items that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

"We have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue," he said in his speech.

Mr Zelensky said he did not meet Mr Dong at the dialogue, but he did meet Mr Austin. The two discussed the US’ decision to let Ukraine use American weapons on Russian territory, according to Mr Zelensky.

That decision comes with certain restrictions. Asked by the BBC if he requested the removal of limitations, he said he was grateful to the US for allowing Ukraine to use the HIMARS artillery rocket system by the border of the Kharkiv region which has seen intense fighting.

“Is that sufficient? No,” he said, adding that there were airfields from which Russia was permanently firing “knowing that Ukraine will not fire back”.

The US joins other Western states such as France in allowing Ukraine more leeway in using Western-supplied weapons. Russia has warned of “serious consequences” of this move.

This weekend marked the second time Mr Zelensky has visited Asia since the war began. He made a surprise appearance at the G7 leaders’ summit a year ago in Hiroshima, Japan.

Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia and China of undermining peace summit

Both countries are trying to dissuade others from attending the upcoming event, Ukraine's president says.

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

China says MI6 recruited Chinese couple as spies​

China has accused the UK’s intelligence agency of recruiting a couple as spies - the latest in a string of ***-for-tat allegations between Beijing and the West in recent months.

According to China’s Ministry of State Security, the two state department employees were successfully recruited after MI6 operatives exploited the man’s “strong desire for money”.

The man, named as Wang, then convinced his partner, named only as Zhou, to join him as a British spy.

The accusations come weeks after the UK charged two men with spying for China.

The men were accused of giving "articles, notes, documents or information" to a foreign state, while China has called the allegations "malicious slander".

Earlier this month, a former Royal Marine charged with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service was found dead, said police.

China did not reveal how it uncovered the case involving Mr Wang and Ms Zhou, saying only that it came after a "thorough investigation".

The case is still under investigation and Chinese officials did not say if the couple would be charged.

The BBC has contacted the UK authorities for a response.

China’s Ministry of State Security alleged that MI6 started cultivating Mr Wang when he was studying in the UK under a Sino-British exchange programme in 2015.

The operatives took "special care" of him in the UK, such as inviting him to dinners and tours to better "understand his interests and weaknesses", the ministry alleged.

They befriended him on campus under the guise that they were alumnus, and got him to provide "paid consulting services".

Through Mr Wang the MI6 operatives also recruited Ms Zhou to spy for China, the country's Ministry of State Security claimed. They both had "core confidential roles" in an unnamed state agency, it added.

"Wang was initially hesitant but could not resist [the operatives'] repeated persuasion, enticement and even coercion, and eventually agreed," the ministry said in a statement on WeChat.

"Under Wang's strong instigation, Zhou agreed to collect intelligence... and he and his wife became British spies."

It is unclear why Beijing has chosen to publicise this case, says Chong Ja-Ian, a scholar at Carnegie China. It could be making the case public as a form of retaliation, but Beijing has also arrested people for espionage in the past.

And without more information, it is difficult to ascertain the veracity of Beijing's claims, Dr Chong said.

"Sometimes these do not appear... The opacity of the [the Chinese Communist Party] including its judicial system, especially when it comes to espionage cases, can make understanding the details of the case especially challenging," he added.

China's Ministry of State Security has been posting frequent updates on its official channel since it was launched in August.

In January, it warned its citizens against "exotic beauties" seeking to lure them into the hands of foreign spy agencies.

Among other things, it has also cautioned citizens against photographing military equipment and warned against organisations "recruiting aviation enthusiasts as volunteers" to transmit China's flight data to other countries.

UK's MI6 recruited Chinese state workers as spies, says China

Beijing says the UK's MI6 took advantage of Mr Wang's "strong desire for money".

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

G7 criticises China over Russia alliance and 'harmful' trade practices​

G7 leaders meeting in Italy Friday hardened their tone against China, warning Beijing to stop sending weapons components to Russia and play by the rules on trade, according to a draft summit statement.

China has been a key focus of the Group of Seven talks in Puglia, amid souring trade relations between Beijing and the West and concerns that its supplies of equipment to Moscow are fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine.

"We call on China to cease the transfer of dual-use materials, including weapons components and equipment, that are inputs for Russia's defence sector," according to a draft statement seen by AFP.

The Group of Seven also took aim at what it called "dangerous" incursions by China in the contested South China Sea, where worries of a military escalation between Beijing and its neighbours are rising.

"We oppose China's militarisation, and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea," the statement read, using stronger language than at last year's summit in Japan.

After a first day dominated by Ukraine, US President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan, France, Germany, Canada, Britain and host country Italy turned their focus to the world's second-largest economy, a superpower whose oversized influence on geopolitics and global trade cannot be underestimated.

"G7 countries are on the same page vis-a-vis China," a Japanese government source told AFP.

Thursday's talks, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky, were marked by a strong show of G7 support for Kyiv, with an agreement to use profits from frozen Russian assets to provide a new $50-billion loan to Ukraine.

With the war in its third year, the G7 statement said the deal sent an "unmistakeable signal" to Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would back Kyiv for "as long as it takes".

But there were also tensions over whether abortion should feature in the final statement, with its explicit mention left out of the draft viewed by AFP Friday.

Deteriorating global trade relations have been a backdrop to the summit, however, exemplified by the European Union's announcement this week of plans to impose new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Beijing denounced what it called "naked protectionist behaviour" and said it reserved the right to file a suit with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The US, Japan and the EU -- which attends G7 summits as an unofficial eighth partner -- have all voiced concern over China's so-called "industrial overcapacity".

They say generous subsidies by Beijing, particularly in green energy and technology sectors such as solar panels and electric vehicles, result in unfairly cheap goods flooding the global market.

That excess capacity threatens Western companies struggling to compete, particularly in the growing green tech sector.

"We express our concerns about China's persistent industrial targeting and comprehensive non-market policies," the G7 summit draft said.

It warned against "practices that are leading to global spillovers, market distortions and harmful overcapacity in a growing range of sectors".

China has dismissed the concerns but Washington had pressed for a united G7 front.

The leaders also called on China to stop restricting its exports of critical minerals used in key global industries such as telecommunications and electric vehicles.

Security and defence concerns were front and centre Friday, particularly accusations that Beijing has helped expand Russia's armed forces.

Washington has accused Beijing of helping Russia's defence industry -- and therefore its invasion of Ukraine -- through joint production of drones and exports of machine tools needed for ballistic missiles.

The G7 also pointed the finger at "financial institutions to refrain from supporting and profiting from Russia's war machine," saying it would take "further steps to deter and disrupt this behaviour."

A senior Biden administration official told journalists the items supplied to Russia harm not only Ukraine but pose "a long-term threat to the security of Europe".

At a joint press conference with Biden, Zelensky said he had spoken by phone to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who "gave me his word" that he would not sell weapons to Russia.

"We will see," Zelensky added.

The G7 said it was "seriously concerned" about wider security in the Asia-Pacific, where China's confrontational tactics and militarisation of islands in the South China Sea -- as well as its recent war games around self-ruled Taiwan -- have increased fears of a potential conflict.

"We express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels," read the draft.

The Japanese government source said it was crucial for the leaders in Puglia to send a clear message to Xi that the issue was not merely regional, but of concern to all the G7 nations.

"All the (G7) countries are aware that we need to convey the message very candidly to the Chinese at the very top level," the source said.

G7 criticises China over Russia alliance and 'harmful' trade practices | The Express Tribune

G7 leaders warn Beijing to stop sending weapons components to Russia and play by the rules on trade

tribune.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

EU chief estimates European Union defense needs at 500 billion euros​

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told leaders Thursday that the bloc needs to invest 500 billion euros ($535 billion) in the next decade to bolster its defenses.

European Union countries are pushing to ramp up their defense industries and rearm their militaries in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, after years of underinvestment.

“We estimate that additional defense investments of around 500 billion euros are needed over the next decade,” von der Leyen said.

The head of the EU’s executive did not, however, provide a detailed breakdown of what her projected sum covered.

“We didn’t see spreadsheets, we didn’t see details, this is pie in the sky money,” an EU diplomat said.

There is also no clarity as yet on how the EU would finance the investment -- with options being mooted including national spending or joint EU defense bonds.

There is a standoff over whether the EU should consider joint borrowing, similar to how it financed its recovery program after the Covid pandemic.

“Several countries, including France and Estonia, are in favor of Eurobonds,” an EU official said. “But Germany and the Netherlands are against.”

“None of these options are easy, but all of them have to be looked at with the political will to decide what to do together, but they have to be looked at seriously,” von der Leyen said.

EU countries have already increased their defense spending in the decade since Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

That trend has accelerated since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with a sharp increase in the number of EU countries hitting NATO’s target of spending two percent of GDP on defense.

The bloc’s defense agency says EU countries spent a total of 240 billion euros on defense in 2022.

The increases in EU defense spending in recent years have nonetheless been dwarfed by those of China and Russia.

“If you look at the combined EU spending on defense from 1999 to 2021 so in three years, it increased by 20 percent in that same timeframe, China’s defense spending increased by almost 600 percent and Russia’s defense spending by almost 300 percent,” said von der Leyen.

“This is even before Russia massively increased over the last two years its defense spending.”

As part of its push to bolster defense industries across the bloc, the EU is looking to appoint commissioner dedicated to working on the issue.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/06/28/eu-chief-estimates-european-union-defense-needs-at-500-billion-euros

 

[FearlessRoar]

Two Russian warships arrive in China for joint naval exercises​

Two Russian warships have arrived in the southern Chinese port city of Zhanjiang to take part in joint naval exercises, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday.

China and Russia have greatly reinforced ties since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine that began in February 2022.

Their common goal is also to reduce the role of the United States and the West on the international stage.

“A detachment of vessels from the Pacific fleet will take part in the joint naval exercise – Interaction Maritime 2024,” the ministry announced on Telegram, posting a video of their arrival.

The first phase will take place from Monday-Wednesday and involve anti-air and anti-submarine attacks along with Chinese planes specialized in anti-submarine maneuvers, it said.

The two countries hold joint military exercises regularly but their level of interoperability is greatly inferior to that of Western military alliance NATO, the European Union Institute for Security Studies said in a report in early July.

Last year, a similar naval exercise took place off Alaska.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/07/13/two-russian-warships-arrive-in-china-for-joint-naval-exercises

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Russia and China are working together to create a more equitable multipolar world order, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday

Speaking at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Vientiane, Laos’ capital, Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing are promoting the principles of "genuine multilateralism," bringing "positive energy" to the UN and the Group of 20 (G20).

The two countries are also actively working in the BRICS economic bloc and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), he noted.

"Other international venues are also important. Among them, of course, is ASEAN and the entire ASEAN-centric architecture. We have a common position… we must do everything possible to prevent its destruction," he said.

Lavrov is currently in Vientiane for regular ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which are held in different formats, including Russia-ASEAN, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it intends to take advantage of the opportunity to hold a substantive dialogue on the full scope of cooperation with the 10-member bloc in politics, security, trade, the economy, social, and cultural spheres.

"We will use ASEAN support to promote practical initiatives on international information security, which is among Russia’s priorities on this platform," it said.

Source: Anadolu Agency

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pentagon Responds to Russian, Chinese Bombers Near Alaska​

The Pentagon said that Russian and Chinese bombers flying near Alaska on Wednesday was the first time the two countries had been seen operating together in that manner.

In a press conference on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the Russian and Chinese aircraft movements were "not a surprise."

"We closely monitored these aircraft, tracked the aircraft, intercepted the aircraft, which demonstrates that forces are at the ready all the time and we have very good surveillance capabilities. And of course, I won't discuss any intelligence issues here at the podium," Austin said.

"But again, it's the first time that we've seen these two countries fly together like that," he added.

Austin said that the aircraft did not enter U.S. airspace and were about 200 miles off the coast.

"If it happens again, if there is any kind of a challenge from any direction, I have every confidence that NORTHCOM and NORAD will be at the ready and will be able to intercept," he said.

Two Russian TU-95 and two Chinese H-6 military aircraft had been detected flying in international airspace near Alaska before they were intercepted by the U.S. and Canada, which together make up NORAD, the organization said.

In the press briefing, Austin added that the U.S. was "concerned" about the relationship between Russia and China.

"This is a relationship that we have been concerned about throughout, mostly because we're concerned about China providing support to Russia's illegal and unnecessary war in Ukraine. And we've seen evidence of that, and we would hope that that would cease going forward," he said.

"We'll see what happens and how this relationship continues to develop. We will remain focused on protecting the homeland here," he added.

While China maintains a neutral public stance on the war in Ukraine, it has maintained economic ties with Russia.

Western officials have also expressed concern about the Chinese export of dual use items to Russia, which are components that can be utilized for both military and commercial purposes.

The two countries have also recently been increasing cooperation in the Arctic, both militarily and economically, as climate change opens up greater competition.

The U.S. Department of Defense has also expressed concerns about the growing cooperation of the two countries in the region.

Moscow and Beijing have previously rejected the U.S.' worries, stating that their Arctic activities are unrelated to the United States.

Pentagon responds to Russian, Chinese bombers near Alaska

American and Canadian fighter aircraft intercepted two nuclear-capable bombers off the U.S. coast.

www.newsweek.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Russian warships make routine visit to Cuba​

Havana residents watched from shore on Saturday as Russian warships arrived for the second time in as many months, in a visit that Cuba called routine.

Cuban authorities fired shots into the air to signal their welcome, while curious fishermen watched from Havana's waterside promenade as the ships advanced up the bay. Russian residents were also among the few up early to see the fleet's arrival.

The patrol ship Neustrahimiy, training vessel Smolniy and support vessels, all from the Baltic Fleet, are scheduled to depart on Tuesday.

A brief statement by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces described their arrival as routine.

A Russian nuclear submarine, frigate and support ships in June also flexed Moscow's muscles in the port of Havana, less than 100 miles (160 km) from Florida.

"Russia's deployments in the Atlantic pose no direct threat or concern to the United States," a U.S. Northern Command spokesperson said, adding the command monitored all approaches to North America.

Tensions between the United States and Russia have increased since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and Russian naval activity - though routine in the Atlantic - has ratcheted up because of U.S. support for Ukraine, U.S. officials say.

Simultaneously, relations between Cold War allies Russia and Cuba have markedly improved as the Communist-run country battles an economic crisis it charges is due mainly to U.S. sanctions.

High-level contacts between the countries have increased to a level not seen since the fall of Cuba's former benefactor, the Soviet Union, with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visiting Moscow four times.

Russia has sent oil, flour and increasing numbers of tourists to the Caribbean nation, which is short of cash and goods. Citizens suffer through daily power outages and other travails, resulting in scattered protests and record migration.

Ana Garces, a 78-year-old retiree, told Reuters she remembered the Soviet Union was the only country to help Cuba during the 1962 missile crisis, the peak of tensions with Washington when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war.

"We are very grateful," she said. "Why should we not receive it with open arms? This is friendship. All kinds of ships have entered here."

"It shows how other countries do support us and takes away a little of the world's mentality about our country," added her husband, 71-year-old retiree Rolando Perez.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/russian-warships-make-routine-visit-cuba-2024-07-27/?taid=66a522e8052f330001d87b99&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin warns US against deploying long-range missiles in Germany​

Vladimir Putin has warned the US that if Washington deploys long-range missiles in Germany from 2026, Russia will station similar missiles within striking distance of the west.

The US will start deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany in 2026 in an effort to demonstrate its commitment to Nato and European defence, the Washington and Germany said earlier this month.

The US’s “episodic deployments” are in preparation for longer-term stationing of such capabilities that will include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles and developmental hypersonic weapons that have a longer range than current capabilities in Europe, Washington and Berlin said.

In a speech on Sunday to sailors from Russia, China, Algeria and India to mark Russian navy day in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg, Putin told the US it risked triggering a cold war-style missile crisis with the move.

“The flight time to targets on our territory of such missiles, which in the future may be equipped with nuclear warheads, will be about 10 minutes,” Putin said.

“We will take mirror measures to deploy, taking into account the actions of the United States, its satellites in Europe and in other regions of the world.”

Putin said the US was stoking tensions and had transferred Typhon missile systems to Denmark and the Philippines, and compared the US plans to the Nato decision to deploy Pershing II launchers in western Europe in 1979.

The Soviet leadership, including General Secretary Yuri Andropov, feared Pershing II deployments were part of an elaborate US-led plan to decapitate the Soviet Union by taking out its political and military leadership.

“This situation is reminiscent of the events of the cold war related to the deployment of American medium-range Pershing missiles in Europe,” Putin said.

The Russian president repeated an earlier warning that Moscow could resume production of intermediate and shorter range nuclear-capable missiles and then consider where to deploy them if the US brought similar missiles to Europe and Asia.

Putin warns US against deploying long-range missiles in Germany

Russian leader says Washington risks triggering cold war-style missile crisis and promises to respond in kind

www.theguardian.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Putin says expects China’s Xi at BRICS summit in Russia​

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he was expecting Chinese leader Xi Jinping to attend a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies in Russia next month.

Putin has looked to the Chinese leader for support since the Ukraine conflict began, with the two boosting trade to record highs as Russia faces heavy economic sanctions from the West.

“As agreed, we are expecting Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit,” Putin said during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

The BRICS group, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, represents almost half the world’s population and has since expanded to include other major emerging economies including the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

The group is set to hold a summit in the Russian city of Kazan from the 22-24 October, in what the Kremlin hopes will be a chance to expand its influence and forge closer economic alliances.

Moscow and Beijing both rail against “Western hegemony,” particularly what they see as US domination of global affairs, and declared a “no limits” partnership shortly before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine.

Last month, Putin said Russia’s economic and trade links with China were “yielding results” as he welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to the Kremlin.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2024/09/04/putin-says-expects-china-s-xi-at-brics-summit-in-russia-

 

[FearlessRoar]

Two men deny spying for China​

Two men accused of spying for China pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, a 29-year-old former parliamentary researcher, have been charged under the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Cash, from Whitechapel, east London, and Mr Berry, of Witney, Oxfordshire, are alleged to have "for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, obtained, collected, recorded, published or communicated to any other person articles, notes, documents or information which were calculated to be, might be, or were intended to be, directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy".

Beijing has previously called the allegations "malicious slander".

The prosecution says the alleged spying took place between between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023.

The Sunday Times previously reported that Mr Cash had access to Conservative leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat and the former foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, among others.

A further case management hearing will be scheduled in January or February next year.

That will come ahead of a trial, which is expected to last between five and seven weeks, at Woolwich Crown Court.

A provisional date of 6 October next year has been set for the trial.

China spying case: Two men deny charges at Old Bailey

Christopher Berry and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday.

www.bbc.com

 

[BouncerGuy]

Russia and China accused of blocking Asean statement due to dispute over South China Sea

Russia and China blocked a proposed consensus statement for the East Asia Summit drafted by south-east Asian countries, mainly over objections to language on the contested South China Sea, a US official said on Saturday.

A draft statement arrived at by consensus by the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations was put to the 18-nation East Asia Summit meeting in Laos on Thursday evening, the official said.

“Asean presented this final draft and said that, essentially, this was a take-it-or-leave-it draft,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea and India all said they could support it, the official said, adding: “The Russians and the Chinese said that they could not and would not proceed with a statement.”

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, told a news conference in Vientiane on Friday the final declaration had not been adopted because of “persistent attempts by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to turn it into a purely political statement”.

China’s Washington embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The US official said there were a couple of issues of contention, but the key one was how it referred to the UN convention on the law of the sea (Unclos), going further than in the previous 2023 EAS statement.

However, the official said, “there was certainly no language that was getting into the nitty gritty of any particular standoff, no language that was favouring any claimant over any other”.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea and has stepped up pressure on rival claimants, including several Asean countries, notably the Philippines. Asean has spent years negotiating a code of conduct with Beijing for the strategic waterway, with some Asean states insisting it be based on Unclos.

China says it backs a code, but does not recognise a 2016 arbitral ruling that said its claim to most of the South China Sea had no basis under Unclos, to which Beijing is a signatory.

According to a draft seen by Reuters, the proposed EAS statement contained an extra sub-clause over the 2023 approved statement, and this was not agreed to. It noted a 2023 UN resolution saying that Unclos “sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out”.

Another sub-clause not agreed said the international environment, including “in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, Myanmar, Ukraine and the Middle East ... present challenges for the region”.

The Chinese premier, Li Qiang, told the summit Beijing was committed to Unclos and striving for an early conclusion of a code of conduct, while stressing its claims have solid historical and legal grounds.

“Relevant countries outside the region should respect and support the joint efforts of China and regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and truly play a constructive role for peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Russia and China accused of blocking Asean statement due to dispute over South China Sea

Russian foreign minister says final declaration not adopted because of attempts by US, Japan, South Korea, Australia and NZ ‘to turn it into a purely political statement’

www.theguardian.com