The West attentively followed the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China in early June. The fact that this is the first official visit that Putin has undertaken to Beijing made many Western observers speak about a strengthening of the eastern vector in Russian policy. The other reason for the close attention to the visit concerns Syria: the Russian-Chinese tandem is the main opponent of the Western coalition in the Syrian issue. VK publishes an interview with the German radio-station Radio1 with the head of the German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP), Professor Eberhard Sandschneider.
- Mr. Sandschneider, how do you understand Vladimir Putin’s words that relations between Russia and China are an example of intergovernmental relations of a new type?
- The fact that President Putin made his first official foreign visit to China is a symbolic sign. The growing role of China touches on not only the West, but also Russia, which has ties with China in the sphere of energy and strategic issues. The role of The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is great. It is the only organization which was initiated by China and includes Russia and no Western countries. So Russia and China turn into very important partners for each other. That is what the Russian President tried to emphasize by speaking about special intergovernmental relations between two states.
- The West hopes that Russia will change its position on the Syrian issue. Could China influence it?
- I think the governments of both countries stated their positions on the Syrian issue clearly. They do not accept military intervention aimed at overthrowing of the regime in Syria. Both Russia and China are skeptical about the military operation for the settlement of the Syrian conflict. They will hardly change their position. Russia and China have influence and interests correlating with the Syrian regime. However, the limits are defined distinctly: for example, Moscow and Beijing treat Assad’s suppression of the opposition in the country negatively.
- Does the strengthening of cooperation between Russia and China mean a decrease of the Western influence on these countries?
- We have to wait to understand whether cooperation will really strengthen. Brotherhood and unity are always declared during state visits, but only the future can show whether it is true, first of all in economy and energetic. However, it is obvious that the two countries intend to develop strategic approaching.
- Russia is also important for the EU, as a great part of the Russian currency reserves is in euros. What will strong economic cooperation between Russia and China mean to us?
- It is a natural process answering interests of Russia and China. And we should accept it. Europe buys gas from Russia and deepens cooperation with China providing its interests. Russia and China do the same. I don’t see anything dangerous for Europe in this strengthening.
