China and Russia "Alliance" is a Limited Partnership

China and Russia's competing interests, goals, alongside historical disputes, mean that their cooperation is limited

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a defiant joint statement two weeks ago. They affirmed their “strong mutual support for the protection of their core interests” and openly opposed the U.S.-led world order and value system. Many international observers regard the statement as a “manifesto” for a new multipolar world order in which Russia and China are united against the United States. 

To demonstrate the strength of their unofficial alliance, Russia pledges to support Beijing Winter Olympic Games, undoubtedly snubbing at the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of both games. Russia also affirms, “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and opposes any forms of independence of Taiwan.” In return, for the first time in history, China joined Russia in opposing any “further enlargement of NATO.”  

The joint statement claims that the “friendship between [Russia and China] knows no limits.” But the questions remain how strong their alliance really is and how long i…