The Russia-China partnership, described by both as a ‘no limits’ relationship, is widening and deepening, under the stewardship of President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The two have met more than 40 times and describe their relationship as a personal friendship. Bilateral trade, almost all of which is conducted in local currencies, has surpassed $200 billion, while China has become the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas. That relationship is set to expand when the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline comes on stream, pumping gas directly from Russia’s Yamal Peninsula. The two countries represent pillars in the multipolar world, and a significant bulwark to Western international influence.
