Ukraine war: The real reason for China’s charm offensive over Ukraine and Russia

“There is an element of defiance,” said Alexander Korolev, an expert in Sino-Russian ties with the University of New South Wales. “It is signalling: ‘If things get ugly between us, I have someone to go to. Russia is not alone, which means that I will not be alone when there is a confrontation… don’t get comfortable in bullying me.'”