Xi Jinping threatens both West and Moscow - international relations analyst

He shared his opinions on Espreso TV.

Kraiev explained that at the BRICS summit, Xi Jinping said that hostilities shouldn't spread and that they should avoid actions that increase global tensions. The expert sees this as a message aimed at both sides.

He said that when China threatened the West, it also tried to do the same with Russia to prevent Moscow from expanding its influence over Beijing. Xi's comments on the West's military support for Ukraine suggest he wants to avoid escalation. At the same time, when Russia makes nuclear threats, Xi responds by saying such talk is irresponsible.

Kraiev thinks Xi is using lessons from history to threaten both Moscow and Washington at the same time with a "two-handed" doctrine.

“On one hand, Xi Jinping is speaking about the need to avoid escalation when addressing the West. He and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have repeatedly stated that, in their view, the West’s arms transfers to Ukraine are prolonging the conflict. On the other hand, every time Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons, Xi says it’s meaningless and reckless to discuss it. 

I think Xi Jinping is well aware of history and recalls that in the twentieth century, China's most effective foreign policy was the so-called 'two-handed' doctrine, where China threatened both Moscow and the United States. So, I believe Xi is now trying to threaten both the West and Moscow at the same time,” he added.

• On Tuesday, October 22, the BRICS summit kicked off in Kazan, Russia, with notable attendees including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas were also present.