Russia-Ukraine crisis: China urged to weigh economic costs of Moscow coalition as sanction threats mount

Beijing’s deepening ties with Moscow show a united front against threats from the United States, but there is concern within China that a quasi-alliance could come with economic consequences should the Ukraine crisis escalate.

Following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin early this month, the neighbours announced they were “entering a new era of global sustainable development”, while unveiling a series of agreements, including a new gas deal.