China’s “No Limits” Partnership with Russia in Ukraine

In late February 2022, just three weeks after Beijing and Moscow declared a bilateral partnership with “no limits” in scope, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At first, China’s support for Russia’s war was measured and cautious: in the initial weeks, Beijing appeared to distance itself from the conflict, emphasising neutrality and calling for talks. Yet over time, China’s assistance became increasingly pivotal for the Kremlin, gradually expanding across economic, technological, diplomatic, and political domains. British politicians, including senior government ministers, and members of parliament, have raised persistent concerns about China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. In October 2024, during a visit to Beijing, Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged his Chinese counterpart to investigate and stop Chinese companies from supplying Russia's military. He warned that such support risks damaging China's relations with Europe while sustaining Russia's war effort. This new study by Dr. Sari Arho Havren looks at how the relationship has expanded over the past four years and assesses the future of the “no limits” partnership.