Adam
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
For the majority of the second half of the 20th century, the three greatest powers of the world were at odds. The schism between neighbours that resulted in the so-called Sino-Soviet split allowed the United States to spend much of the ensuing decades, particularly beginning in the 1970s trying to exploit the split between the great powers of the wider global east.
This of course is somewhat recent history, but the overall history of Russo-Chinese relations has been one of neighbourly cooperation and good will. From the 17th century until 20th century, China and Russia had no serious disputes and many important trading links.
The troubles of the turbulent 20th century have not only been reversed, but the generally good relations between the two countries are now at an all time high.
President Xi Jinping has just landed in Moscow, his third visit this year.
After a day of informal meetings including a dinner with his friend President Vladimir Putin, the two leaders will sign a series of trade deals said to be worth $10 billion while also discussing the commitment of both Presidents to develop further bilateral measures of cooperation and a commitment by both parties to China’s One Belt–One Road global trade, commerce and infrastructure project.
The timing of the meeting also holds great symbolic importance. Later this week, the Presidents of China and Russia will meet with the leaders of other powers at the G20 summit in Germany.
However, prior to that China and Russia have shown that their bilateral relationship takes precedence over the talking-shop that is the G20. While Presidents Xi and Putin are able to get things done and at a cordial level at that, the G20 summit like many similar global summits, are generally expensive brew-ha-has, which ultimately signify nothing.
Furthermore, this comes less than 24 hours after a US ship strayed into Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea, a clear provocation by the United States which continues to undermine Chinese claims to its regional waters and the islands of the South China Sea. Even America’s traditional post-colonial ally in the South China Sea, Philippines has now decided to adopt a cooperative and fraternal approach to diplomacy with China as President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected the anti-Chinese posture of his predecessors.
China and Russia have shown that their modern alliance which has been built on historic good-will and which has overcome the troubles of the often overly-ideologically driven 20th century, is a bulwark that the US will not be able to break-apart.
China’a admonition of America’s deployment of THAAD missile systems in South Korea is a further demonstration that it is China which has lost patience with American aggression in Asia which has been irritatingly combined with mixed messages over China’s sphere of influence in East Asia and South East Asia.
President Xi said of America’s incursion into Chinese territorial waters,
“Bilateral relations have been affected by some negative factors. China has expressed its position to the US”.
The relationship between China and Russia reaffirms that both sides are more important to each other than the United States is to either.
American arrogance in trying to play China against Russia has once again backfired spectacularly. The foregone conclusion in respect of the success of the meeting between Presidents Putin and Xi is a reinforcement of the reality that two of the three super-powers are close allies and the other is increasingly a source of annoyance for both.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
As I recall the US was able to exclude Putin from the G8 making it less relevant as G7, but were unable to exclude Russia from the G20. However Adam is correct the whole G-Fest is a distraction and expensive waste of time and money. Clearly China’s BRI is much more important to emerging markets as well as poor oppressed/depressed ones in Europe. Everyone outside of the US and EU sphere’s of influence are signing up for China being the economic driving force for the 21st Century. Russia has partnered up for this and will seriously benefit as the western… Read more »
The G in G7 stands for Groupthink. It is utterly worthless.
But though I agree the G20 is a waste of money it is precisely because nothing can be agreed between such disparate powers that it is interesting to watch the body language.
So many interesting combinations, who hangs out with whom etc.
Headline:
“…President Putin and Xi’s meeting in Moscow is far more important than the G20…”
If that is so why should Putin bother going to the G20 or giving it any lip service.
Actually the G20 is important for China.
China is a manufacturing and export driven economy, so its important for it to keep in touch with its major customers. This will become evident at the G20 when Xi will be schmoozing with the G20 countries.
Whilst Putin will be sidelined once again.
Putin sidelined? You haven’t got a clue. Look at the guest list.
Here’s who ‘might’ dare to avoid Putin – Tusk, Macron, Trudeau, May, Rutte, Turnbull.
Here’s who will seek him out, some already have scheduled meetings – Trump, Xi, Modi, Erdogan, Duterte, Widodo, Merkel (she has to as host), Abe (always does), Zuma, MbS, Juncker, Moon.
There are others going but they don’t matter either way.
Simon
“…Putin sidelined?…”
Apart from the BRICS leaders who will pay homage to Putin, the rest are all B movie actors, “Conveyor Belt Politicians” owned by the Neoconservatives (includes Trump).
Trump will inform Putin about new Iran style US plus enforced 3rd country and 3rd company sanctions on Russia to prevent Nordstream 2.
“Trump will inform Putin …” You are way out of line here! Russia is no 3rd tier nation!
Ivan Grozny
The situation is the Neoconservatives want Donbas, Crimea and Syria, so on reflection with Trump being a Psychopath it will be said nicely.
The question you pose is sidelined by who? I think the majority members will want to meet with him, that’s the reason the US could not exclude Putin/Russia from the G20. The Trump & Putin meeting will be the one to watch, for obvious reasons. But the Deep State are already leaking formats. Apparently Trump wants informal meeting. Deep State/ Group think wants formal so they can leak more misinformation… Meanwhile US continues to taunt China under the pretext of “Right of Navigation”. What the Pentagon seems to understand by this is: “What is your territory is ours (Syria &… Read more »
Hamletquest
“….The question you pose is sidelined by who?…”
Polite way of writing, the G20 meetings for 2015 and 2016 have been quiet “affairs” for Putin.
G20 2014 was a raucous affair so Putin cut his trip short after reports of repeated criticism from “Western leaders”, the host, Australian Premier Tony Abbott threatened to “shirt front” Putin.
Putin reportedly had ‘tense’ meeting with British PM David Cameron after he compared Russia to Nazi Germany
Canadian PM reportedly told Putin to ‘get out of Ukraine’ as Russian leader was relegated to edge of ‘family photo’.
Etc.
Wasn’t the meeting that mattered , back in 2014, APEC?
Here is how President Putin was sidelined. Now who was the Guest of Honour and who was placed with the women?
LOL Brilliant! And we see at Chinese events, Putin is always at Xi’s right hand. Vice versa if they are in Russia.
Whereas the Chinese famously made Obama descend from the arse of his plane at last year’s G20 Hangzhou summit ! 😉
Thanks for reminding me of the time that Obama had to get off his plane, via the staff staircase. Oooooops, but, it was funny.
‘This is our country!’: Tempers flare as Obama arrives in China… http://nypost.com/2016/09/03/this-is-our-country-tempers-flare-as-obama-arrives-in-china/
AMHants In the good old days, 2014 LoL:))) the Duran Mafia was not organised as it is today. In fact I started posting on Duran because you recommended its link on another media, RI. Also in 2014, I was one of the foremost supporters of Mr Putin on the Telegraph readers forum but gave up in April 2017 due to Putin – Russian lack of Air Defence for the Syrian Military. This is just a gist of what I used to post back then: APEC: 2014, At the APEC conference in China, Mr Putin was feted as a hero by… Read more »
Back in 2014 I got banned from the Telegraph, owing to not siding with their version of events in Ukraine. Also the Guardian. If you want to go back to 2014, do you remember what was actually happening at the time. Wasn’t that the year that Cameron wanted Russia thrown out of the SWIFT system? Wasn’t that the year that the cookie monsters turned up in Kiev and the Soros funded regime change script went down, whilst Russia were enjoying their Winter Olympics? Wasn’t that the year that NATO were sending in a Fleet to kick Russia out of Sevestapol?… Read more »
AMHants
LoL:))) Have to agree with you, back in the “Good Old Days” it was fun ! Let’s hope the Duran will be more forgiving.
Mr Putin, President is still in place and will get re elected in 2018 whilst all the B movie actors you listed got trashed.
Who knows how it will all pan out, but, I hope we are in for a pleasant surprise.
You take care.
Wives club! lol
The Chinese have got a sense of humour haha.
The way things are in reality….it is more likely that it will be TRUMP who is “sidelined”
Well, maybe the beta-males and women that make up the ‘West’ might try, but he won’t even notice, no one sidelines The Donald.
It is Erdogan who will be sidelined by Western leaders – so he will just hang out with the East.
But the most sidelined leader will be May – no one wants to be associated with a walking corpse.
Meeting between Presidents of Russia and China is indeed the most important affair of our time, for it is the KEY to multipolarity and resistance to Hegemon’s senseless propensity for chaos & destruction.
Yep, and we know what’s on the menu tonight too – not chocolate cake ! It will be Russian ice cream (a Xi favourite) served with NO surprises and NO fireworks. Calm responsible adults at dinner.
What, you mean there will be no tomahawk display, to close the evening?
What is interesting, is the fact that the pair of them, meet up regularly, and without the formality of a state visit, overshadowing the bigger picture.
The G7 mob, when they threw Russia out of the club, did not realise they would strengthen the Russia/China bond and make themselves look stupid, in the process.
You are right. Do you remember all the talk a few years ago about a G2?
It was meant to be US and China…..
Funny thing is – there is now a real G2. And I hope they enjoy their ice cream tonight. 😉
I came late to the party, so missed out on the US wanting a G2 with China. Careful what you wish for, so comes to mind.
What does interest me, is what happens when President Putin and President Xi Jinping retire from politics. Will they have a strong enough team, following their footsteps? There again, will their foes be long gone or in a position that they cannot get back on their feet?
I do not think you need to worry about China, but I am not sure about Russia.
It would be nice if we are just heading for something that is beneficial for us all. With a major cleanout of toxic, easily coerced and easy to blackmail politicians.
Nothing for sure of cause, but Chinese system and history says China will likely do fine for a while.
I think that Putin will pick his replacement, same way that he was put into power.
I hope he is worthy of him, there again, he is surrounded by a good team.
Well said; but my thought is that if you or I had the despicable criminal acts committed by those politicians video-taped and sequestered somewhere…. we might be “easy to blackmail” too…
We remaining healthy human beings in the western nations are beset by evil… and evil doers.
AMHants,
Your query “what happens when President Putin and President Xi Jinping retire from politics” is the most important question being asked by people interested in geopolitics and geoeconomics…
I would rather pose it like – will the policies and objectives of Putin-Xi era be followed in future when they will retire by say 2024-25. All of us who express their dislike and loathing of Hegemonic chaos-destruction, wish that in both countries, the same policies and objectives will CONTINUE.
Well said and yes.
I wonder if that is being addressed with the agreements they are signing at the moment, that are due to cover at least 4 years?
Personally, I cannot see them letting all their hard work be at the mercy of Soros and friends. Without signing, sealing and delivering some long term guarantees, that cannot be ignored.
We are not/ won’t be privy to any document so as to ascertain that there is/will be written agreement on the bilateral policies (so that policies perpetuate beyond Putin-Xi era) …
But I agree with you that, there exist high possibility of such document which will remain ‘confidential’ for decades to come.
Fingers crossed.
Soros is one of the leading edge Hybrid-Reptiles.
Don’t think so?.. Look long and hard at his quasi-human facial features and then tell me that ‘phisog’ is not reptilian?
Look at the similarities in this lot (apologies as I use the images often)…
I personally believe that “The Shift” is in progress. The follow up for the Russian and Chinese people will be very much the same ideology as Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping. The reptilian ruled era is fading fast.
Everything under the sun “cycles” and we happen to be at the apex of the movement taking humanity from the symbol of the snake eating its own tail to a different time.
Hopefully, but, it does appear something mega is on the move. With other nations coming on board.
Very true. Incidentally Putin-Xi combination is the most MATURED adult pair in the geopolitical arena of current world.
brouhaha Germany at the G20 will be particularly concerned re US sanctions proposed against its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Russia and with the possibility of US sanctions against steel. Washington and Berlin on a Collision Course Pepe Escobar 6-30-17 The Russia sanctions bill that passed the US Senate by 98:2 on June 15 is a bombshell; it directly demonizes the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, under the Baltic Sea, which is bound to double Gazprom’s energy capacity to supply gas to Europe. Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel will definitely be on a collision course at the G-20, with Merkel… Read more »
pogohere
At the end of the day, the US Senate / House of Representatives will force the sanctions through unilaterally, which will be new Iran style US plus US enforced 3rd country and 3rd company sanctions on Russia to prevent Nordstream 2.
The EU and or Germany can ignore the sanctions but the companies involved in the NS2 Project will be sanctioned with a prospect of US$100’s of Millions or the odd Billion in fines for breaking the sanctions.
Or in retaliation, the EU could sanction the US! https://sputniknews.com/politics/201706241054938953-germany-russia-us-nordstream2/
Gonzogal
Thanks, interesting article.
At this G20 summit,Trump is under orders from his Neoconservative overlords to arrange the return of Donbas, Crimea and Syria.
EU sanctions on the US will be difficult as its economy is heavily dependent on export to the US market like a Siamese Twin, the EU dies without the US (economically).
It certainly would be great to see the US get a taste of its own medicine!
The EU could diversify its exports to the East where the real economic powerhouse is and thus save itself from sinking along with the US.
Gonzogal
The Neoconservatives control the UK, France most of East European EU countries, the others “PIGS” Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain, etc move like “Jelly on Demand”.
The EU has done and is still doing the MaxX to export to South America, ME, Africa, Asia Pacific region or wherever there is a customer.
However the sheer size and import demand of the US along with the Neoconservative control of “Money” overwhelms the other countries.
It’s all more grist for the mill: Germany and the EU can’t ignore sanctions on their major energy companies. The plot thickens. The wedge between the Germans and the Russians will be increasingly difficult to maintain. It’s the Mackinder nightmare de jour.
pogohere
Using the Mackinder Theorem, the Neoconservatives have taken control of Eastern Europe from the Baltics, Poland down through Ukraine to the Black Sea, the “Wall”.
In the past I have been heavily criticized for writing Putin is too slow or has a wait and see what happens approach.
Putin plays his moves too slowly, Ukraine was already a well known troublesome Transit country so Nordstream 2 and Turkstream should have been built when oil was bouncing at US$100 in order to bypass any future “Wall”.
The neoconservatives are playing with fuses on bombs they don’t understand, but which they must use because they have no other options. The Russians have made it clear the next assault planned on Russia will take place in the territory of the aggressor.
The US has not faced such an agile, able, major military opponent since World War II.
Hegemonic desperation functions with a one gear transmission.
pogohere
Facts:
Putin is a well known do nothing wait and see operator.
Russia was making big money when the Oil Price was hitting highs due to Neoconservative wars, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sanctions on Iran, etc.
Questions:
What is Russia exactly going to do against sanctions that prevent the building of either Nordstream 2 or Turkstream?
What is Russia exactly going to do when Poland and Ukraine increase Oil and Gas Transit Fees making it uncompetitive against US – Arab LNG and Oil?
Putin? The leader of the most agile, resurgent, nearly self-sufficient 1st world military and industrial power? Russian Federation: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2017 Article IV Mission May 19, 2017 http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/05/19/Russian-Federation-Staff-Concluding-Statement-of-the-2017-Article-IV-Mission What does Russia produce? Fire in the hole!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://thesaker.is/what-does-russia-produce-1/ http://thesaker.is/what-does-russia-produce-2/ http://thesaker.is/what-does-russia-produce-3/ “What is Russia exactly going to do against sanctions that prevent the building of either Nordstream 2 or Turkstream?: More of the same, naturellement. Nord Stream 2? EU backs down on Nord Stream 2 31/03/2017 http://www.eurasianbusinessbriefing.com/eu-backs-nord-stream-2/ NS2 just got kicked upstairs: EU Commission could get say on Russia gas pipeline https://euobserver.com/foreign/138362 Stay tuned: Germany wants the gas and… Read more »
pogohere “…Putin? The leader of the most agile, resurgent, nearly self-sufficient 1st world military and industrial power?…” You surely are preparing a script for a Comedy Show, LoL:))) Putin is shaped by events after it is too late and does not know how to handle anything because of his operating style which is: Do nothing Do it very slowly Wait and see what happens Russian Economy: Yes, Putin is doing a good job which is why he is popular and getting elected as President. New Pipelines – Nordstream 2 and Arab: Your link does not prove anything conclusive, its a… Read more »
The tell: what do you emphasize in your “post”
Putin Putin Putin Putin Putin Putin Putin Putin
Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine
No facts, no sources, no data
No More.
pogohere / RW E There is no need to post links, you already know them or can google them. For Auld Lang Syne / Old Times Sake. Putin has allowed the Neoconservative to take over Eastern Europe from the Baltic Sea, Poland through Ukraine to the Black Sea. Russia is now locked out of its land route to Western Europe. There are US missile bases surrounding Russia and Putin is still waiting to see what happens next. “…Moscow is waiting to see the next moves of the Trump administration….” http://www.russia-direct.org/opinion/why-new-us-military-buildup-europe-doesnt-yet-worry-russia Neocons and the Ukraine Coup: https://consortiumnews.com/2014/02/23/neocons-and-the-ukraine-coup/ Ukraine will become the… Read more »
“When the US senators voted for a new package of sanctions against Russia, they were solving domestic political issues, and also tried to limit the freedom of foreign policy maneuver for President Donald Trump. They couldn’t imagine that their actions would not only cause a sharp diplomatic reaction from the leading EU countries, but would also lead to the emergence of the issue of retaliatory sanctions against the United States of America in the European media,” Danilov wrote.
https://sputniknews.com/politics/201706241054938953-germany-russia-us-nordstream2/
America has become a pariah due to it’s pathetic’ hegemonic agendas worldwide. It feels it is above the law and has expressed exactly this view in all of its illegal incursions on sovereign soils. When are its people going to realise what their government has done to them? The sooner China and Russia relegate America to the scrap heap, the better.