Russia recently said that its partnership with China is not aimed at targeting other countries, but the two powers could “unite their strengths” if faced with a threat from the United States, Reuters reported.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasised that Moscow and Beijing would respond to US “double containment” efforts with “double counteraction,” referring to a potential US missile deployment in Japan.
According to a report by The Japan Times on September 7, the US has shown interest in deploying the Typhon mid-range missile system in Japan for joint military exercises.
Zakharova stressed that both Russia and China would respond to new missile threats, and this reaction would not be merely political. She reiterated that their strategic partnership is defensive in nature and not aimed at third countries.
“Our relations are not meant to target other nations… however, if we are faced with an aggressive attack, why shouldn’t we combine our potential to counter it?” Zakharova said in response to a question from Reuters.
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping signed a “no limits” partnership agreement in 2022, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In May, both leaders agreed to strengthen their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” Although they have not formally declared a military alliance, Putin recently described their relationship as that of “allies in every sense.”
