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WORLD NEWS Thursday 19 July 2018

In battle for Putin’s affections, cupid favors Xi over Trump

By YANAN WANG
Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) — In the race to
woo Vladimir Putin, China’s
Xi Jinping is beating Donald
Trump.
Trump’s quest to kindle a bro-
mance with the Russian presi-
dent has made some Ameri-
cans squirm.
His gushy performance in Hel-
sinki, expressing confidence
in Putin instead of U.S. intelli-
gence agencies, ignited out-
rage across the political spec-
trum back home.
Should Beijing worry that Trump
could succeed in pulling Putin
away from China? Probably
not, political analysts say.
Trump’s charm offensive might
cause Beijing a twinge of un-
ease, given its tumultuous his-
tory with Moscow. But in this
love triangle, Putin and Xi are
linked by strategic necessity,
plus genuine personal affec-
tion.
“Trump has made clear that
he is a big fan of Putin,” said Li
Xin, director of the Russia cen-
ter at the Shanghai Institute of
Foreign Studies.
“But everyone knows that
Trump frequently changes his
mind,” said Li. “His attempts
to be friendly cannot com- In this June 8, 2018, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together during a
pete with the history and the welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
intimacy of Xi and Putin’s rela- Associated Press
tionship.” over vodka and sausages five Moscow. both Washington and Mos- “China likely expects that
Moscow and Beijing are linked years ago. “China-Russia relations will not cow than they have with each Trump’s visit will not change
by practical and political “I’ve never established such be affected by any external other,” Glaser said. this reality.”q
needs. relations or made such ar- factors,” said Hua Chunying.
China wants Russian oil and rangements with any foreign Yet there is the remote possi-
gas to power the world’s sec- colleague, but I did it with bility Washington and Moscow
ond-largest economy. President Xi,” Putin told Chi- might one day feel the need
Moscow needs Chinese trade nese state TV. to unite against China if its ris-
and investment more than Xi presented Putin with China’s ing influence tramples their in-
ever following its estrange- first “friendship medal” — an terests, suggested commenta-
ment from the West over its ornate gold necklace — and tor Harry Kazianis.
2014 annexation of Crimea. called him “my best, most inti- “While we might rightly see
They share a loathing of Islam- mate friend.” Moscow as a rogue nation to-
ic radicalism in Central Asia The Russian and Chinese presi- day, tomorrow it could be a
and resent U.S. global domi- dents have spent more time partner in containing a com-
nance. with one another than either mon foe,” Kazianis wrote this
“Both leaders seek to curtail has with any other foreign month in The American Con-
American influence, weak- leader. servative.
en U.S. alliances and modify As far as it is possible for glob- That is unlikely any time soon,
the international system so it al leaders to become real experts say.
is more favorable to them,” friends, they are “setting a Trump backtracked on one of
Bonnie Glaser of the Center pretty high bar,” said Alexan- his comments after the outcry
for Strategic and International der Gabuev, a Sino-Russian re- back home over his apparent
Studies in Washington said in lations expert at the Carnegie dismissal of U.S. intelligence re-
an email. Moscow Center. ports that Moscow meddled in
Trump raves about Putin’s po- “China has nothing to worry the 2016 election.
litical skills, but the Chinese about,” said Gabuev. Rather than view Trump as a
and Russian leaders have long Following the Helsinki summit, rival for Russia’s friendship, Chi-
enthused publicly about their China’s Foreign Ministry wel- na is more likely to be pleased
unique rapport. comed improved U.S.-Russian by the growing split between
Ahead of a visit to Beijing in relations. A spokeswoman Trump and American allies in
June, Putin reminisced about said Beijing was “full of confi- Europe.
celebrating his birthday with Xi dence” about its own ties with “Beijing has better ties with