Deputy State Secretary of the US Raises Alarm about Increasing Alliance Between Russia and China
During his visit to Brussels this week, U.S. Deputy State Secretary Kurt Campbell met with senior EU, NATO, and Belgian officials and expressed his concerns about the growing partnership between Russia and China. He highlighted that this collaboration could diminish any military advantages the United States had over the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Speaking at a press conference on Sept. 10, Campbell emphasized that the areas of collaboration between Russia and China, particularly in design and application, were significant. He clarified that this was not just a tactical alliance but a fundamental alignment orchestrated at the highest levels of both states.
According to Campbell, China supplies weapons and parts to Russia, while Russia helps develop China’s military capabilities in new areas, such as submarines, aeronautical design, stealth technology, and missile capabilities. This new development could undermine the United States’ current undersea advantages and have a negative impact on other nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Campbell urged European nations to take a more forceful stance in condemning and blocking Russia–China cooperation. He also highlighted that China has been providing parts and technology directly to the Russian military without dual-use applications.
The CCP’s involvement in the Russian war could have serious repercussions for the region, and Campbell called on European nations to speak out against this collaboration. He also emphasized that China’s support to Russia in military capabilities is causing concern and needs to be addressed.
Campbell highlighted that the materials China sends to Russia are specifically geared towards enhancing Russian military capabilities and are not for dual-use purposes. He stressed that these activities are strategically hidden and have the potential to escalate tensions.
Campbell also urged European officials to express their concerns publicly and take necessary actions to address this issue. He cited NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement naming the CCP as a crucial enabler in the Russian war due to its involvement in weapon production for the Russian military.
Russian President Vladimir Putin framed the joint exercise as analogous to those conducted by Indo-Pacific nations and the U.S. He noted that lessons from their military operations in Ukraine would be incorporated into the drills.
Additionally, joint exercises between Russia and China are taking place in various locations, including the Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, and Caspian Sea. Russian forces are participating with significant military assets, alongside Chinese vessels and aircraft.
Reuters contributed to this report.