Putin’s visit to China reveals economic limits

Significance Both sides vowed to coordinate their responses to what they describe as a US-led policy ‘dual containment’ directed at Moscow and Beijing, strengthening the impression of a united front on the international stage. However, Beijing seems unwilling to cross certain self-imposed boundaries, hampering bilateral economic cooperation. Impacts China’s desire to maintain ties with the United States and EU will limit the support it gives to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The rate of bilateral trade growth will slow due to the threat of sanctions and fewer gaps to fill on the Russian market. Chinese direct investment in Russia will remain limited in scale and concentrated in energy-related sectors.