In an exclusive interview with Carlson, Putin said that the West is more afraid of a strong China than it is afraid of a strong Russia. He pointed out that China's purchasing power parity has surpassed that of the United States, and that China's power is growing. This view has attracted widespread attention and discussion. Putin's statement shows Russia's recognition and attention to China's rise, and also reveals the new variables facing China-US-Russia trilateral relations.
As the world's second largest economy, China has a huge market and huge development potential. In recent years, China has made great progress in the fields of high technology, artificial intelligence and aerospace, and has played an active role in important issues such as global governance and climate change. China's rise is reshaping the global landscape, and Putin's statement is clearly a recognition of China's strength.
Although Putin's statement was unanimously approved in Russia, it sparked a series of controversies in Western countries. The Democrats in the United States personally attacked Carlson as a "traitor to the state", and the European Union announced that it would impose sanctions on Carlson. This reaction shows the anxiety and unease of the West about China's rise.
For the West, the rise of China means that the hegemony of the West, especially the United States, is threatened. For a long time, the United States has maintained its interests and influence on a global scale, and the rise of China has posed a huge challenge to the international standing of the United States. Before and after Trump took office, he said that he would take measures to stop China's rise. Therefore, Putin's statement was interpreted by some as building momentum for Trump and further disintegrating Biden's image.
If Trump comes to power again, whether he will promote the strategy of "uniting Russia to contain China" and whether the triangular relationship between China, the United States and Russia will change as a result of this has become a hot topic. The crux of the matter, however, lies in European attitudes.
The so-called "United Russia system" essentially means that the United States and Russia maintain a united front to jointly confront China. However, European countries have a long history of rejection of Russia, and it is difficult to accept the idea that they will get too close to Russia. While the lifting of sanctions on Russia may ease US-Russian relations, it will not be enough to change Russia's position.
In addition, under the current balance of power in the triangular relationship between China, the United States and Russia, no matter who is in charge of the United States, it is unlikely that there will be substantial changes. If Trump continues to be in power, the domestic situation in the United States will be even more difficult, and the relationship between the United States and Russia has reached the point where it has bottomed out. Therefore, whether it is Trump or Biden, there will be no major changes in the triangular relationship between China and the United States and Russia.
Putin's statement in an exclusive interview with Carlson has sparked widespread controversy and interpretation. His recognition of China's rise shows the importance that Russia attaches to China's strength. However, Western countries have become anxious and uneasy about Putin's statement, because China's rise poses a challenge to the West's hegemony.
Trump's return to power and the future development of the triangular relationship between China, the United States and Russia have become the focus of attention. However, the attitudes of European countries will have a decisive impact on this issue. At the same time, neither Trump nor Biden is likely to see a substantial change in the triangular relationship between China and the United States and Russia.
In this era full of uncertainties and challenges, the evolution of international relations will inevitably affect the development and interests of all countries. As far as China is concerned, it should continue to unswervingly promote reform and opening up, strengthen cooperation and communication with other countries, and make greater contributions to world peace and prosperity. At the same time, China also needs to strengthen its own strength, enhance its international discourse, and better safeguard its own interests and security.