Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a pipe during the ceremony marking the construction of gas pipeline " Power of Siberia" connecting Russia and China, September 2014. Credit: Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service/AP Photo
Western nations have imposed an avalanche of sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, with devastating effects for its economy. China, however, has declined to impose any penalties, after Presidents Xi and Putin had pledged in a meeting early last month that there were “no limits” to their cooperation.
But as international markets digest the new restrictions imposed on the Russian economy, there are signs that even China will struggle to maintain its burgeoning bilateral trade as before.
This week, The Wire sets out the key facts in the China-Russia economic relationship.
Where Russia and China Rank as Trade Partners
China has been Russia’s single biggest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. Meanwhile, Russia is China’s 11th biggest trading partner, just behind Malaysia and Brazil and ahead of Thailand and India.
Data: China General Administration of Customs, ITC Trade Map
China-Russia Total Trade by Year
Trade in goods and servic
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