Is Russia Worried About China’s Military Rise?

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia September 11, 2018. Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency/Pool via REUTERS

Dimitri Alexander Simes, National Interest: Is Russia Worried About China’s Military Rise?

Strained relations between Moscow and Washington are making Russians more accepting of Chinese military power.

Even with its economy starting to slow down, China’s military is still on the rise. Years of higher military spending fueled by high economic growth are starting to manifest themselves in new technologies and newfound assertiveness. Beijing has made visible strides in its aviation, naval, and missile defense capabilities. Whether it be making territorial claims in the South China Sea or opening up its first overseas military base in Djibouti, China is starting to exert military influence in its near abroad and beyond.

How does Russia view this development? Even as Moscow and Beijing strengthen their cooperation across all areas, many Western experts warn that China’s growing military might will increasingly become a source of tension between the two countries.

The National Interest spoke with several Russian defense analysts and Sinologists to better understand the Russian perspective on China’s military rise.

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WNU Editor: The Kremlin and Russian foreign policy analysts are not worried about China's military rise (right now). I personally think this is a mistake. Moscow is underestimating the growing nationalistic mood that exists in China, and a growing belief among many in China to expand territoriality. For the moment China is focused on its non-Russian neighbours and on the West. But for as long as I can remember Chinese foreign policy experts have always had an eye on Russia's Siberian wilderness, and I do know that many feel that they have a manifest destiny to claim this territory as their own. A powerful Chinese military will only make this sentiment grow.