China-Russia: Powerful Nuclear Alliance

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin witnessed via video link the groundbreaking ceremony of four advanced nuclear reactors powered by Russia's third-generation nuclear technology.

The agreement highlights both countries’ bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, while reflecting the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

As argued in, The Dynamics of Russia’s Geopolitics: Remaking the Global Order, the cooperation between China and Russia is welcome news within their respective circles; that said, the latter knows it must ensure that China does not encroach on Russia’s sphere of influence in Central Asia and the Caucuses. For its part, Beijing made it clear to Moscow that the latter has nothing to worry about as China embarks on its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Those dynamics suggest that Russia, with the support of China, financial and otherwise, aims to change the global order at its core. Moscow and Beijing share a common vision of a multipolar world order. Is China-Russia’s nuclear alliance part of that order?

One thing is sure: Many sensitive and long-standing nuclear issues like those pertaining to Iran and North Korea are related to the peaceful use of nuclear power. Technology cooperation between China and Russia could provide more flexibility for these countries to find reasonable solutions, rather than allowing the United States to use its technological advantages and sanctions to bully others and cause deadlocks or reversals.

David Oualaalou is a Geopolitical Consultant, Award Winning Educator, Veteran, Author, and former International Security analyst in Washington, D.C.