China-Russia Military

How China and Russia keep Iran fighting — without firing a shot

The Iran war is exposing how great powers wage proxy conflict at arm’s length. China sustains Tehran’s missile and drone industry with dual‑use components, chip tools and BeiDou access, while Russia boosts its punch with satellite imagery, upgraded drones and electronic‑warfare know‑how. Together they keep a heavily sanctioned state in the fight, as researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad explains.

Tahir Mahmood Azad

Why Washington can’t outbid Beijing and Moscow in Central Asia

Central Asia is courted by the West but sustained by Beijing and Moscow. The region uses Western attention to lift its value — yet its survival still hinges on China and Russia. How long can this price-raising game last? Academic Hao Nan explains.

Hao Nan

Greater China-Russia strategic alignment links two ‘battlefields’ of Eurasia

Although the Russia-Ukraine war and Taiwan Strait situations are different, strategic alignment between China and Russia on issues involving Japan and the “one China” principle during critical moments means there is room for linkages and even mutual restraint between the two “battlefields” in Eurasia, observes Lianhe Zaobao’s associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei. 

Sim Tze Wei

China and Russia: A joint bid for global power?

The China-Russia partnership has been a source of unexpected stability in 2024, amidst growing division in the West and the uncertainties of Trump’s impending presidency. Academic Hao Nan discusses how the partnership has evolved over 2024, and its impact on the wider geopolitical landscape.

Hao Nan

China-Russia strategic coordination raises alarm for the West

Academic Hao Nan assesses that future joint training and exercises between China and Russia are expected to become more complex and frequent as the two countries’ alignment strengthens through increased military interoperability, posing a threat to the US and its allies.

Hao Nan

Why won’t Washington succeed in curbing China-Russia trade?

US academic Zhu Zhiqun explains the China-Russia thorn in US-China relations, pointing out that US officials should ask themselves: is it realistic to expect Beijing to curb trade with Russia when Washington itself is forming all the security alliances to counter China?

Zhiqun Zhu

China staying on the sidelines of growing Russia-North Korea ties

Cambodian research fellow Bunly Ek observes that China continues to play a wait-and-see approach on forming a trio with Russia and North Korea. China is well aware that it can achieve its objectives by staying close with each of the countries bilaterally, and a high-profile trio would only put itself in the firing range of the West and its other neighbours.

Bunly Ek

Will China's military exercises with SCO countries and Russia help it build a regional security order?

East Asian Institute academic Li Nan asserts that China's joint military exercises with Central Asian countries and Russia are done in the context of furthering "strategic partnerships" to deal with domestic and intramural security threats but not external threats. While it is clear that China aims to build a regional security order in Central Asia, its adherence to non-interference may hinder its efforts.

Li Nan

Implications of the Russia-Ukraine war for the People's Liberation Army

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is closely watching the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with the Russian army continuing to meet stubborn resistance from the Ukrainian forces. Japanese academic Sugiura Yasuyuki examines how the PLA is learning from the crisis and reevaluating its military doctrine in the case of Taiwan, especially following the recent visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Sugiura Yasuyuki

China's softening stance on its 'no limits' relations with Russia

The lateral move of "Russia expert" Le Yucheng from the Chinese foreign ministry to the National Radio and Television Administration is undoubtedly a career setback for the man once tipped to be the next foreign minister. Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong explores possible reasons for the move and opines that it could indicate Beijing's changing attitude towards Russia and the war in Ukraine.

Edwin Ong

Lessons from Ukraine: Russia might fall into decline by going against global sentiment

As the Russia-Ukraine war rages on, Huang Yuan notes that the US response to Russia may well be an indication of its approach if a conflict were to break out in the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan. He also cautions that any military action that disregards global sentiment may well lead to the invading state coming apart and its leader falling from grace.

Huang Yuan

Claim of US bioweapons operation in Ukraine pushes China closer towards Russia

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine just about two weeks old, a war of words has broken out between the US and China over the alleged presence of US biowarfare research facilities in Ukraine. China seems to be throwing in its lot in with Russia, calling for the US to come clean and to allow multilateral inspections. Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong analyses the recent developments, which is reminiscent of the bickering that ensued when Wuhan lab-leak accusations were heaped on China two years ago.

Edwin Ong