People walk past a screen showing video footage of Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the National Museum of China in Beijing, on Feb. 27, 2019. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping told a visiting Russian delegation that Beijing and Moscow should “lead the correct direction of global governance reform.”
Mr. Xi made the remarks on July 10 while meeting Valentina Matviyenko, the chairperson of the Kremlin’s upper house or Federation Council, according to Russian and Chinese state-run media.
“Both sides need to strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS countries, lead the correct direction of global governance reform, and safeguard the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries,” Mr. Xi said. BRICS is an acronym for an economic body consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Mr. Xi’s latest remarks will likely fuel growing warnings from experts and politicians that the Chinese regime aims to reshape the current rule-based international order. In March, geopolitical analysts warned that Mr. Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were pushing to create a new China-led global order after the Chinese leader told his Russian counterpart that the two neighboring countries “are driving” changes not seen “in 100 years.”
The Chinese leader also told Ms. Matviyenko that Beijing stood ready to work with Russia to develop “a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual assistance, deep integration, innovation, and inclusive cooperation in the new era.”
In response, Ms. Matviyenko told Mr. Xi that the strategic partnership has reached “the highest level in history and continues to develop steadily.”
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. (Sergei Karpukhin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)
The Kremlin and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elevated their ties to a “no-limits“ partnership in February 2021—just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, the communist regime has not publicly denounced Russia’s invasion, while some Chinese entities have been sanctioned by the U.S. government for contributing to the Russian invasion.
After her meeting with Mr. Xi, Ms. Matviyenko said Russia could also “count on a firm and reliable friendly shoulder in China.”
“The main thing that I learned from all the meetings and conversations is that China will consistently and persistently continue cooperation with Russia, [and] preserve the friendship that exists between our countries and peoples,” she added.
In February, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence published a report (pdf) warning that China is using programs and initiatives—including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Security Initiative—to “promote a China-led alternative” to the current international order, one that favors “state sovereignty and political stability over individual rights.”
‘Weakness in the US’s Resolve’
A China-dominated world order likely means the loss of sovereignty for Taiwan—a self-ruled island with its own democratically-elected officials, military, and currency. Many view Taiwan as a de facto independent nation, and reject the communist regime’s “one-China principle,” which claims sovereignty over the island.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has fueled speculation that Mr. Xi would follow Mr. Putin’s lead by deciding to invade Taiwan. In January, Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu warned that China is “more likely” to make a military move against the island in 2027.
Days before meeting the Russian delegation, Mr. Xi inspected the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, which is responsible for operations in areas including the Taiwan Strait, and urged the military to “deepen war and combat planning” to increase the chances of victory in actual combat.
On July 10, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, responded to the Chinese leader’s military rallying call by warning that “China is preparing for war.”
“We saw with the Ukraine war that Russia has been a paper tiger. That is absolutely not the case with China. From building new islands in the South Pacific to sending spy balloons across the U.S., let there be no doubt China is preparing for war,” Mr. Murphy wrote on Twitter.
The congressman added, “They view the independent nation of Taiwan as their own and have said they are willing to take it by force if needed. Some have naively argued for a ‘carrot’ approach to China, even Biden Admin Sec. of State Blinken recently rejected Taiwan independence.”
“Let there be no mistake: the Chinese sense weakness in the U.S.’s resolve and will take full advantage of it.”
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (R) receives U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken prior to their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mr. Blinken visited China last month and held talks with senior CCP officials, including Mr. Xi. Before he left the country, Mr. Blinken told reporters that “we do not support Taiwan independence.”
“It’s very important that we preserve the status quo that has helped maintain peace and stability across the strait for decades,” Mr. Blinken added.
In response to Mr. Blinken’s Taiwan statement, Project Socrates founder Michael Sekora told NTD that the Biden administration “has backed down from a strong position on defending Taiwan.”
The CCP kept up its intimidation campaign against Taiwan during Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s recent four-day visit to China, sending fighter jets and warships to areas near the island every day from July 6 to July 9.
On July 11, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that 34 Chinese military planes either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or the island’s air defense identification zone.
Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers U.S., China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
