Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that the West's real worry isn't about Russia's strength, but rather the burgeoning power of China. Putin underlined China's massive population and booming economy, suggesting it surpasses even the United States. This revelation added a new layer to discussions about global politics and economic competition
"The West is afraid of a strong China more than it fears a strong Russia because Russia has 150mn people, and China has a 1.5bn population, and its economy is growing by leaps and bounds — over 5% a year"
Putin dismissed the notion of a boogeyman narrative surrounding Russia-China relations, emphasizing the two nations' long history of coexistence and China's non-aggressive foreign policy approach.
”We have heard those boogeyman stories before. It is a boogeyman story. We are neighbors with China. You cannot choose neighbors, just as you cannot choose close relatives. We share a border of 1000 kilometers with them. This is number one. Second, we have a centuries-long history of coexistence, we are used to it. Third, China's foreign policy philosophy is not aggressive, its idea is to always look for compromise, and we can see that,” Putin clarified.
Putin highlighted the growing trade relations between Russia and China, surpassing their mutual goal of $200bn in trade this year. He emphasized the balanced nature of their trade, spanning high-tech, energy, and scientific research sectors.
“According to our figures, our bilateral trade with China totals already $230bn, and the Chinese statistics says it is $240bn. One more important thing: our trade is well-balanced, mutually complementary in high-tech, energy, scientific research and development. It is very balanced,” Putin noted.
Putin highlighted the rapid development of BRICS countries under Russia's presidency, noting their increasing share of the global economy compared to the declining influence of the G7. He emphasized that this trend is not influenced by events in Ukraine but is a result of global economic shifts. Putin criticized the United States for its reliance on forceful actions such as sanctions, pressure, and military interventions, arguing that such tactics are counterproductive in a changing world. He stressed the importance of making competent and timely decisions to adapt to evolving global dynamics.
Regarding Russia's stance on the United States, Putin expressed skepticism about the possibility of improved relations regardless of the U.S. leadership. He attributed this skepticism to what he perceived as a dominant mindset within American elites focused on maintaining dominance through forceful actions.
Putin condemned the United States' strategy in global affairs, specifically its reliance on sanctions and military actions, which he described as counterproductive and indicative of arrogance.
”This is about self-conceit. Your political establishment does not understand that the world is changing (under objective circumstances), and in order to preserve your level — even if someone aspires, pardon me, to the level of dominance — you have to make the right decisions in a competent and timely manner.”
In response to Tucker Carlson's question about power centers in the United States, Putin acknowledged the complexity of American politics and the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties. He speculated that a lingering Cold War mentality within certain circles may have contributed to a hostile policy toward Russia.
“I don't know. America is a complex country, conservative on the one hand, rapidly changing on the other. It's not easy for us to sort it all out. Certainly there are two parties that are dominant, the Republicans and the Democrats, and within this party system, the centers that make decisions, that prepare decisions, ” Putin said.
Putin stressed the inevitability of global economic shifts and the need for countries to adapt to changing realities. He cited Indonesia's rapid development as an example of this trend, emphasizing the importance of forward-thinking leadership in navigating global challenges.
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