Some important New Year Revelations from Beijing

Some reflections on what Xi Jinping did - and didn't say

There was a lot going on in Beijing on New Year’s Eve. President Xi Jinping took time to exchange New Year greetings with President Putin - and, ‘on behalf of the Chinese government and people, extended sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people.’

The Chinese leader ‘pointed out that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, a new important milestone in the bilateral relationship’; despite ‘going through three-quarters of a century of ups and downs, China-Russia relations have become more mature and stable.’

Thanks to Xi and Putin, ‘the political mutual trust and strategic coordination between China and Russia have been continuously advancing toward higher levels.’ Xi said he was looking forward to deepening ‘China-Russia relations featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation for a new era.’

These efforts were bound to improve in 2025 - a time that marks the ‘80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.’

It is easy to get over-excited by diplomatic niceties such as these, and to read too much into formulaic statements that can mean as much (or as little) as the reader wants.

For one thing, flowery promises of ever-lasting friendship may mean something different in the cold light of day. Assurances and sweet words are free, after all. For another, rhetorical flourishes that are suggestive of eternal partnerships can (ironically) offer opportunities for future manoeuvrability: relationships do not have to last for ever if it suits one or both sides to break off and look for pastures new.

So how does Beijing see the world in 2025?