The article covers a briefing hosted by the U.S. Department of State on the growing and amplifying relationship between Chinese and Russian news coverage and public political stances. When tracking social media posts from Russian and Chinese political figures, researchers have found that over the past two years, Chinese officials have been much more active than previously in re-sharing and agreeing with posts from Russian officials, and vice versa. They seem to be pushing the pro-Russian agenda of the Russo-Ukraine conflict of it being instigated by NATO, considering Russia as only conducting a “special military operation”, and downplaying atrocities.
As a whole, China and Russia relationships seems to be growing more closely than before. There are increasing number of diplomatic events and missions, Russian journalists visiting China and vice versa. We’re seeing now that the other is painted very positively in state media. Some of it could be explained as “co-construction of the so-called joint enemy”, namely the West. Indeed, there are some divergence in opinions, particularly with international coverage hosted in China. In addition, while the Russo-Ukraine conflict is in the current spotlight, it remains to see if Russia will be empathetic with China in potential Chinese conflicts (such as one with Taiwan).
