The tumble of the Russian economy, and President Vladimir Putin’s continued troubles with Europe and the U.S., are seen as a huge opportunity in China. Late last month Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters, “If the Russian side needs, we will provide necessary assistance within our capacity.” Beijing anticipates co-operation with Moscow in the building and running of railways and other infrastructure. Meanwhile, according to a senior analyst at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, “the hardest time for the Russian economy is just kicking off, with the upcoming three years clouded by major challenges.”
