During a congressional hearing on Thursday, US intelligence officials warned that China and Russia are intensifying their military cooperation, particularly concerning Taiwan.
“Bottom line is that basically, if we were to have a conflict with one, the chances are we would have a second front,” Lt Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, emphasized.
Since the two nations declared a “no limits” alliance just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, relations between Moscow and Beijing have soared. China has benefited from cheaper natural gas and oil from Russia, while increased bilateral commerce has supported Russia’s economy, which is under severe sanctions.
China’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict
China maintains that it remains impartial toward the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, it censors social media posts critical of Moscow’s actions, which Beijing has neither condemned nor labeled as an invasion.
“We see China and Russia, for the first time, exercising together in relation to Taiwan and recognizing that this is a place where China definitely wants Russia to be working with them, and we see no reason why they wouldn’t,” said Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on Thursday.
When asked if the Department of Defense was considering the increased cooperation between Beijing and Moscow when making plans, Kruse replied, “From the Department of Defense perspective, that would certainly be the case, and it just has to be taken into account whether or not we actually believe there would be two full-up fronts. That is analysis and assessments that will mature over time.”
China’s claim on Taiwan
Despite the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing never holding power in Taiwan, China claims democratic Taiwan as its territory and pledges to integrate it into China one day, even if it requires using force.
Since 2022, China and Russia have conducted five military exercises, the most recent of which occurred in the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan last year.
According to Ukraine, Chinese companies are the source of drones and most drone-related components used by invading Russian forces, but China denies these allegations. Washington has sanctioned many Chinese companies accused of similar actions.
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