China's closest ally Options

[cao_ni_mao]

For me it has always been Pakistan because of the close military and economic relations

[qwerty2010]

I would say Russia, not because Russia has any great love for China, it loves Europe more, but China is to Russia like North Korea is to China, it's a "buffer" neighbor whose problems will spill over. The moment China collapses, Russia will be confronted with chaos at its long shared border, not to mention any nuclear fallout. And of course China is Russia's potential biggest trading partner for its energy sales and Russia needs cheap Chinese products. Russia will ensure that a hot war is prevented from happening and will make a show of force with China should the US-Japan ever threatens. Besides, when a missile is incoming towards China, it could trigger Russia's own missile defense. I read somewhere once that North Korea is so bold because it isn't afraid of being hit by missiles for the same reason.

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Nov 15 2010, 12:29 PM

[Ali]

I would say Russia, not because Russia has any great love for China, it loves Europe more, but China is to Russia like North Korea is to China, it's a "buffer" neighbor whose problems will spill over. The moment China collapses, Russia will be confronted with chaos at its long shared border, not to mention any nuclear fallout. And of course China is Russia's potential biggest trading partner for its energy sales and Russia needs cheap Chinese products. Russia will ensure that a hot war is prevented from happening and will make a show of force with China should the US-Japan ever threatens. Besides, when a missile is incoming towards China, it could trigger Russia's own missile defense. I read somewhere once that North Korea is so bold because it isn't afraid of being hit by missiles for the same reason.

North Korea is economically dependent on China, and in terms of weaponry she cannot hold her own against any of her neighbors. By contrast, while China's military technology may not be as advanced as NATO's or Russia's, China can more than defend herself in armed conflict because of her manpower and rapidly modernizing military. And on the economic front, China is not at all dependent on Russia; rather, it is somewhat the other way around. Thus, the Sino-Russian friendship is nothing like the China-North Korea relationship; they are partners to mutually profit from technology and capital exchange and to better compete against Japan and Western nations and due to historical cooperation.

This post has been edited by Ali: Nov 26 2010, 04:58 PM