Wilson Center CEO Mark Green has expressed concerns over the increasing joint military exercises between China and Russia, suggesting it could indicate "a dangerous shift" in their bilateral relationship. Green made these remarks in a commentary dated October 29.
"But while all that is taking place, a broader, more dangerous shift may also be underway: China and Russia, with two of the world's largest, best equipped, and best funded armed forces, are undertaking joint military projects at an unprecedented rate and in unprecedented places," said Green. "It seems that what's happening is something some analysts said couldn't happen: the two powers are—to use a colloquialism from my high school days— ‘going steady.'"
According to Green, the alliance between Russia and China is strengthening, particularly in military and strategic cooperation. The two nations have conducted over 100 joint military exercises, most of which have taken place since 2017 across various locations. A recent collaboration involved anti-submarine drills in the Pacific, which "Russia says aim to improve coordination in detecting and neutralizing enemy submarines."
ChinaPower reports that the military cooperation between Russia and China primarily revolves around arms sales and joint exercises. These collaborative efforts are said to bolster their bilateral ties by "facilitating exchanges at multiple levels," enhancing mutual trust and transparency by revealing each other's capabilities.
A press release from the Kremlin highlights a joint statement issued by Russia and China in 2022 titled "Entering a New Era." Both countries asserted that they "share the understanding that democracy is a universal human value," not exclusive to the United States. They criticized attempts by states to impose their own democratic standards on others as divisive along ideological lines. Furthermore, they expressed grave concern about serious international security challenges, emphasizing that "the fates of all nations are interconnected."
The Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) at the U.S. Army War College notes that recent meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024 have "reinforced U.S. and allied concerns about the China-Russia relationship" regarding defense and security cooperation. U.S. officials have also pointed out China's support for Russia's defense industry, which sustains Russia amid its conflict with Ukraine. In their press releases, both nations present themselves as "defenders of global stability against pressure from the United States and its allies."
Before his tenure as CEO of the Wilson Center, Mark Green served as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2017-2020, according to information from the Wilson Center. His public service career includes serving as U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania from 2007 to 2009 and four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for Wisconsin’s 8th District.
