Russia’s Far East focus underlines warming ties with China 

WHILE much of the world’s attention is on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin’s ambition of restoring Russia’s international prominence goes well beyond Europe.

In resource-rich Africa, for instance, Moscow is looking to restore the influence that the Soviet Union had there. Meanwhile, in the Americas, Russia took part in August in war games in Venezuela, the home of the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Yet another example of Putin’s desire to assert power is the Russian Far East and Asia Pacific. The Russian leader has had meetings with successive Japanese prime ministers to try to foster joint economic activities in the disputed islands off Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido. In coming days, Russia will double down on its focus on this Far East region, both geopolitically and economically. On Sept 1, Moscow will launch military drills there and the Sea of Japan involving more than 50,000 troops, over 140 aircraft and 60 warships, including a big contingent from China.

Economically, Moscow also hosts from Sept 5–8 in Vladivostok the Eastern Economic Forum. This is designed to support the economic development of Russia’s Far East and to expand international cooperation with Asia-Pacific, including China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Across these various economic and political fora, one of the consistent themes is the growing warmth of Russia-China ties under Putin and Xi Jinping who regard each other as their closest allies in world politics. The security side of this relationship is widely commented on, but what is less well understood is the extensive economic dialogue.