China's Weixin published (February 6) an interesting article described as assessing the Sino-Russian joint
statement under banner of anti-hegemonic struggle: "China and Russia still have not formed a military
alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established in fact". Titled 'China-Russia strategic alliance has
reached a new level——Comment on the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era', the author, Zhang
Zhikun, said "Like a thunderclap on the ground, the Chinese and Russian heads of state signed the "Joint
Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and
Global Sustainable Development in the New Era", which was issued at a critical moment in the global
strategy. It is also a major strategic measure jointly adopted by China and Russia". He said, "from the
perspective of China and Russia, the "New Year's Meeting" and the Joint Statement of the New Era by the
heads of state of China and Russia mark a new level of strategic cooperation between China and Russia".
Stating that the "Joint Statement made a clear statement on a series of major international strategic and
political issues, directly naming the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and other relevant
countries", it said therefore "this document comprehensively criticizes and denies the dominance and
dominance of hegemony in terms of strategic logic, ideological value and action line, and can be called a
joint declaration against hegemony". The article added "The joint targeting of third parties by China and
Russia is an important sign that China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has
reached a new level" and that "the author believes that under or after this joint statement, the military alliance
between China and Russia will also be further strengthened", however, they have still "not formed a military
alliance, but a strategic alliance has been established". He claimed the joint statement demonstrates to the
world the common views on democracy, civilization, development, history and security of China and Russia,
sounding a new clarion call for the struggle against hegemony in human society, which will definitely impact
the world order dominated by hegemonic countries and the Western Cold War bloc". Contrary to arguments
by the US and West that the outbreak of a war between Russia and Ukraine would not benefit China and
would have a huge impact on the global economy and energy supply and that China should take advantage
of the special relationship with Russia to exert influence in "some constructive way" and advise Russia not
to resort to force, the article states that instead, "China and Russia are leaning even more closely". It claimed
that "China and Russia have formed a firm strategic core and political backbone" giving "the vast number of
countries in the middle zone" including the BRICS countries, the SCO International organizations, etc.,
various options for development laying the basis for "a worldwide peaceful united front" that will surely
grow. Acknowledging that "the Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era has a solid strategic foundation",
it said a lot of work has still to be done such as "adjustment and follow-up of domestic and foreign policies,
including currency settlement, technical exchanges, trade and investment and other specific issues”. It
identified the need for the two countries to jointly oppose "all kinds of sabotage and interference" from, in
particular, the "huge pro-American and pro-Western forces in both China and Russia", which are "deeply
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rooted and powerful, and penetrates into all aspects of society, especially in the media and academic circles".
It said, "The Sino-Russian Joint Statement for a New Era is a heavy blow to them" and that while "On the
surface, they dare not oppose it", but they will resist it with practical actions. "When it comes to specific
projects, they will do everything they can to interfere and destroy. This must not be underestimated". The
author has always emphasized that the domestic struggle against hegemony is closely related to the
international struggle against hegemony. In conclusion, it said with "the "Joint Statement of the People's
Republic of China and the Russian Federation on International Relations and Global Sustainable
Development in the New Era", China-Russia strategic cooperation has reached a new level. On this stage,
both China and Russia will make great achievements, providing reliable guarantee and support for global
strategic stability and balance, and will strongly promote and promote the arrival of a new era of global
strategy".
(Comment: The commentary projects the Joint Statement as an ideological, diplomatic, economic, and
military alternative to the US-dominated international order.)
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