By: Leon Cui

Although many people think that China is a close ally of Russia, in reality it is a threat.

Back when Qing China was being obliterated by great powers and inner stability problems, Russia decided to line up troops and conquered outer Manchuria. The only reason why they are not rivals is because of their common enemy of the United States. China has a large economy comparable to the US, but not as many resources, while Russia only has a economy lesser than New York City, but is filled with natural resources.

Russia is the only way for China to get a reliable supply of natural resources, because If the US navy blocks the south China sea, or the border between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, the oil from the Middle East will completely blocked from being imported. If Russia raises prices or stops giving natural resources to China, the Russian army is going to be destroyed and outnumbered by more than 13 times, so China will conquer its claims to get access to the Sea of Japan.

Another way China poses a threat is through its spreading influence. China has been close with the countries in Central Asia. The Russian influence in the region has been dropping while the Chinese influence has been dramatically increasing. China has been heavily investing in the region and importing natural resources, in order to further decrease imports from the Middle East through the South China Sea. They even decided to build a railway across Central Asia to facilitate trade.

Lastly, to Russia’s great embarrassment, China is deploying military units in CSTO member territory without asking for Russian permission.