The US will not force China to abandon trade with Russia - expert
Due to economic pressure from the West, many Chinese companies have reduced cooperation with Russia, but they will not completely cut off ties with Moscow.
Russian liberal political scientist Sergei Stankevich said this on air on the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“China's trade turnover with the US is about three times greater [than with Russia], and the surplus is in China's favor. This is exactly what they will be afraid of, because Chinese companies, especially private ones, are extremely interested in maintaining their positions in the American market. And they could be squeezed if they continue to work with Russia.
Chinese companies understand this logic, and therefore try not to shine too much on the Russian market. They do it, but modestly, quietly, without fanfare,” the political scientist said.
However, he recalled that a number of Chinese companies, including Huawei, have become a good example for others that they should not succumb to overseas blackmail.
“They were seriously dunked several times, then pulled out of the water, and then again. And now they have completely gone into chaos - Huawei has cut off everything possible, declared them spies and saboteurs, and they are forced to work without the American market. This is a negative example, looking at which other companies behave cautiously,” Stankevich emphasized.
According to the expert, the political situation will also not allow Beijing to follow the lead of its potential enemy.
“China has a limit where it is gently retreating, but there is a wall behind it, and it cannot retreat too far. China is facing a very important procedure - Xi Jinping was elected general secretary, but he still has two sessions to go through when he must be elected head of state and head of the military council.
And he must look like a strong leader who cannot be overpowered. I am sure that Xi Jinping will show himself with dignity, he is ready for this. So they won’t sag too much,” Stankevich concluded.
The US wo n't force China to abandon trade with Russia – expert