The duo can team up against the U.S. power advantage, but they need to know their limitations.

Just as U.S.-China competition will be a longstanding feature in international relations over the coming decade(s), a China-Russia axis to counter the United States will remain a core feature of global geopolitics.

While the United States bickers with allies in Europe and along its southern border, Russia and China agree on new economic and political partnerships which oppose global US hegemony.

President Xi’s state visit to Russia marks a new high-point for warming Sino-Russian ties. The joint statements released at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum call for even greater economic coordination to spur development, to match the political support that China and Russia have offered each other.

Sino-Russian relations today are closer than ever before, in the face of increased US pressure on both countries, particularly to contain China. While the two powers have stopped short of a formal military alliance, their cooperation seems set to strengthen despite US efforts.

Moscow courts investment from China at forum as domestic economic growth lags

It is time to challenge long-held assumptions about the limited nature of Russia and China’s relationship. What we are witnessing is deepening and substantive cooperation, even if it lacks the hallmarks of a traditional treaty alliance.

The only result of American sanctions against China is to drive it closer towards Russia than ever.

In sanctioning a singular department of the Chinese military to place pressure on Russia, the U.S. has made a diplomatic error that threatens two of its critical bilateral relationships.

China and Russia are friends against the West.