An independent researcher, Doctor of Sciences Hussein Korkmaz wrote the sources and key reasons for the Sino-Russian Partnership
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one of the determining trends in the international policy of recent years was the deepening of strategic interaction between China and Russia. Exacerbation of relations with the United States and the increase in military cooperation increase the likelihood of forming a “new axis”. An indicative example was the recent joint teaching of the Japanese Sea “Joint Sea-2025”.
statements of the former President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev about the risks of nuclear war and the followed message of US President Donald Trump on the deployment of two-octum submarines in the “suitable areas” indicate the maintenance of high tension in the region.
The basis of this situation is the strategic rapprochement of Beijing and Moscow, which began long until 2022 and then fixed by the declaration of “boundless friendship”.
Makinder’s “Koshmar”: Control of China over the core of the Earth
to understand the prospects of Chinese -Russian relations to refer to classic relations geopolitical theories. British geopolitics Halford McKinder in the article “Geographical axis of history” (1904) introduced the concept of “axial region” (Pivot Area), emphasizing the strategic importance of the central part of Eurasia, protected from the sea powers. Earth “Heartland) – spaces that are inaccessible to sea forces, but crossed by a dense network of railways. The Makinder formula read: who controls Eastern Europe controls Heartland; who controls Heartland, he controls the “world island” (Eurasia + Africa); And who controls the world island – he controls the world.
Macinder also warned: if China, mobilized and enhanced, will receive an exit to the ocean, combining the resources of the mainland with marine capabilities, this will create an unprecedented challenge to world freedom. Today, this “threat” has been transformed into the strengthening strategic partnership of Beijing and Moscow.
The environment of the Earth’s core is strengthened by the Union of
from the point of view of geopolitics, the influence of China in Eurasia is a strategic advantage. The unification of the economic, technological and demographic resources of China with military power and raw wealth of Russia creates a unique center of power in Heartland.
China promotes the “Belt and Way” initiative (BRI), expanding its economic and political influence in Eurasia. Russia, confronts the West and getting closer to China, forms an informal, but more and more strong block. Since 2018, the countries have conducted dozens of joint military exercises and patrols, and the turnover reached $ 240 billion.
the United States, following John Spikeman’s logic, increase the pressure on the “peripheral belt”, which pushes China and Russia to protect Heartland. For both, this territory is a geopolitical core, the retention of which is a strategic priority.