China and Russia intensify military drills amid US sanctions

Xi’s strategic objective is to strengthen China’s alignment with Russia as a counterbalance to US power, particularly due to China’s pressure on Taiwan and the US’s increased military presence in Asia.

Despite Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Xi has refrained from condemning Putin and instead provided economic and diplomatic support, including a visit to Moscow. China has suspended high-level military dialogue with the US due to sanctions related to a previous arms purchase from Russia, and joint drills with the US have not occurred since 2020.

China and Russia have a complex defense history, marked by suspicion and conflicts, but trust improved in 2015 when both countries faced pressure from the US and sought alternative defense partners.

Concerns have been raised about a de facto alliance between China and Russia among some US policymakers. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, China and Russia have conducted at least 36 joint drills, though smaller in scale compared to US-led exercises. Recent large-scale joint drills involved the US and the Philippines, with over 17,000 troops participating.

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