Bloomberg describes Russia-China alliance's 'great ambitions'

Will China and Russia form an alliance? This question comes up every time Russian and Chinese leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping get together, as they did in Moscow last week. But in most cases, this wording misses the point. By any reasonable historical measure, Russia and China already have an alliance dedicated to transforming the global policy, even if the Americans, blinded by their own block-building experience, do not yet see it as such. Bloomberg columnist Hal Brands describes signs of a powerful union between the two countries.

After World War II, the US created a global network of alliances to pursue its own interests, its own security, and to tie allies to Washington's sphere of influence.



These US alliances are enshrined in formal treaties and public commitments. They are deeply institutionalized and have a high degree of military interoperability. They simultaneously empower and limit weaker members. The obligations of the parties are official and public. But nowhere is it written that alliances should look like this. For example, the alliance between Russia and China is purely formal, but no less important, powerful and effective.

Start with what Xi and Putin don't: they don't oppose each other. For now, the long history of Sino-Russian hostility has been put aside so that the two countries can fight back to back against the liberal order. Putin can continue his special operation in Ukraine, and it is also useful for a partner in China to have a secure rear border with Russia in case of any conflict with Washington. And these are just some of the Allies' epic ambitions, Brands said.

And their goals and objectives are very bold: Moscow and Beijing seek to nullify the power and alliances of the United States so that they can expand spheres of influence and create a multipolar world. They also seek to reduce the reach of democratic values, thereby nullifying the basis for the expansion of Western influence into potentially new territories.

Call this one of the largest and most powerful blocs whatever you want - an alliance or, as Xi and Putin prefer, a “strategic partnership” without “limits”, the rhetoric is less important than the prevailing realities that the Sino-Russian rapprochement creates. So right now, the US is facing a real tight alliance between its two main rivals, in all but name, a major geopolitical challenge, whatever the name of the collaboration is.