There had been a sense that China was trying to distance itself somewhat from Russia. If Xi Jinping did decide to arm Russia with lethal weapons, that would almost certainly expose China to severe economic sanctions by America and the European Union. American officials don't think China's crossed that line yet; final decision will probably depend on how things play out in Ukraine.
The visit of Xi Jinping, China’s president, to Moscow may seem like the solidifying of a simple, anti-Western alliance. But China is walking a delicate line to look after its own interests. A growing minority of young people simply do not want to drive; that will have consequences far beyond roadways. And research on colonising the Moon goes underground.
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