China and Russia issued strong warnings over the US Golden Dome missile defence system and military deployments in the region in their latest joint statement, just days after a summit between Beijing and Washington aimed at stabilising Sino-American ties.
– The two countries accused the United States of posing “a clear threat to strategic stability” through its Golden Dome project in a joint statement issued after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s summit on Wednesday.
– The implementation of the Golden Dome project – a multilayer missile defence system initiated by US President Donald Trump – would have “serious negative consequences for international security”, according to the joint statement released by the Kremlin.
– The statement is part of broader efforts by Beijing and Moscow to strengthen strategic coordination amid evolving relations between China, the United States and Russia.
– The statement came days after Trump’s visit to Beijing, where he and Xi agreed to establish a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”.
– In the joint statement, Beijing and Moscow warned against provocations by certain countries with nuclear weapons, without directly naming the US. The two also agreed to maintain communication on nuclear arms control issues.
– “[China and Russia] condemn any provocations and hostile actions by nuclear-weapon states against other nuclear-weapon states, which undermine their fundamental security interests and increase strategic risks,” the statement said.
– It also accused “some nuclear-weapon states” of attempting to deploy military infrastructure and weapons near other nuclear powers. It added that these nations, together with their allies, were deploying land-based short- and medium-range missiles, threatening other nuclear-armed countries and raising serious concerns.
– While no country was explicitly named, Beijing has repeatedly criticised Washington for the deployment of its Typhon missile system in the Philippines and the expansion of US military deployments in Japan.
– Beijing and Moscow also said the United States had adopted an “irresponsible policy” regarding the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start) in April.
– According to the joint statement, Beijing welcomed Russia’s proposal for Moscow and Washington to continue adhering to the central quantitative limits under the arms control treaty. Meanwhile, Russia said it respected Beijing’s position on proposed trilateral nuclear arms control talks among China, the United States and Russia – an arrangement Beijing has repeatedly rejected due to the large disparity in nuclear arsenals.
– China and Russia agreed to deepen military trust and cooperation, including expanding joint exercises, air patrols and maritime patrols, and improving coordination mechanisms, according to the statement.
– The two sides also reiterated their intention to develop cooperation on the military applications of artificial intelligence, although no details were provided.
– In recent years, China and Russia have held dialogues on the military use of artificial intelligence (AI) through their arms control authorities. The technology is increasingly seen as a new frontier in Beijing’s strategic rivalry with Washington.
– Beijing and Moscow condemned US and Israeli military strikes against Iran, saying they undermined stability in the Middle East.
– They also condemned “the assassination of leaders of sovereign states” – an apparent reference to Washington’s killing of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as its abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
– In the statement, China and Russia voiced concern over what they described as the “militarisation of high-latitude areas” by Washington, reaffirming their commitment to international law in the Arctic.
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