UK Defense Secretary: "China Surprised by Russia's Struggles in Ukraine Invasion... Considered a Source of Concern"

"China finds it increasingly difficult to side with Russia... An uncomfortable friend"
"Concerns grow over China's expanding influence in the Arctic amid Russia's weakening"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Ben Wallace, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, pointed out that the Chinese government is embarrassed by Russia's struggles in its invasion of Ukraine and is increasingly viewing its relationship with Russia as a source of instability. Although China has openly sided with Russia despite international isolation since the outbreak of the war, it is expected that the relationship between the two countries will gradually weaken as Russia's defeat becomes more apparent.

On the 11th (local time), Secretary Wallace said in an interview with the US foreign affairs magazine Foreign Policy (FP), "China sees Russia's current struggles as a risk factor that could negatively impact their business," adding, "Russian President Vladimir Putin is becoming an uncomfortable friend to China, and it is difficult to see China fully supporting Russia since the outbreak of the war."

Secretary Wallace emphasized, "It is important to note that Russia and China are in a competitive relationship from a practical standpoint," and stated, "What is truly concerning is the possibility that China will expand its influence in regions such as the Arctic while Russia is engaged in war with Ukraine." This is a warning that rather than the military alliance between China and Russia, which Western countries have raised concerns about, China could actually expand its influence in competitive regions with Russia, such as the Arctic and Central Asia, due to Russia's diminishing power.

Since the Russian military invaded Ukraine in February, the Chinese government has openly sided with Russia but has not directly provided food or weapons support to the Russian forces. FP reported, "DJI, China's leading drone manufacturer, suspended operations in Russia and Ukraine last month, giving the impression that China is stepping back."

Nevertheless, Western countries remain concerned about the possibility of Chinese military aid if Russia faces a critical situation. Nazak Nikakhta, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Trump administration, said in an interview with FP, "China holds key supply chains for various military equipment items," adding, "Under the West's loose sanctions, China has the capability to provide what Russia needs to continue producing weapons."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.