Russia's cozy economic ties with China are not all they seem

Moscow chafes at junior partner status in trade fully dependent on oil and gas

20190702 Xi Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left and Chinese President Xi Jinping: Political and economic leaders in Russia are concerned about their country's trade status with its more economically powerful neighbor. © Reuters

YOHEI ISHIKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

MOSCOW -- This year's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum -- Russia's version of Davos -- was notable for its massive Chinese delegation led by President Xi Jinping.

The high-profile Chinese presence spoke volumes about the rapidly expanding economic ties between Moscow and Beijing. By contrast, Americans at the June 6-8 event were barely noticeable, reflecting lingering Western animosity toward Russia amid economic sanctions that remain firmly in place.

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