China defends Russia partnership as Eustrongly criticizes alliance

China has firmly defended its relationship with Russia as beneficial to international peace, directly responding to European Union criticism that the two powers are collaborating to transform the global security and economic architecture. The diplomatic confrontation emerged after EU High Representative Kaja Kallas accused both nations of joint efforts to overhaul the existing world order.

Beijing's Rebuttal to European Claims

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the allegations during a regular press briefing in Beijing, stating that Sino-Russian relations operate on principles of "non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party." She emphasized that the bilateral cooperation between China and Russia actively "contributes to world peace and development," presenting the partnership as constructive rather than disruptive to global stability.

The Original EU Accusation

The Chinese response came after Kallas told the 4th Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels that "China and Russia are working together to overhaul the global economic and security order." Her remarks to representatives from 64 countries highlighted growing Western concern about the strategic alignment between Moscow and Beijing, which has deepened following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions.

Broader Implications for Global Order

This diplomatic friction occurs against the backdrop of China's increasing global influence and Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The exchange underscores the fundamental divergence in how Western powers and the China-Russia partnership view the future of international governance. For nations like Türkiye, which maintains relationships with both Western powers and Russia, such tensions create complex diplomatic challenges in navigating between competing global visions.