在對抗美、歐霸權上，中、俄兩國同仇敵愾。在爭奪中亞資源上，中、俄兩國則互別苗頭。以下摘錄《克也夫(舊譯基輔)郵報》一篇評論的重點，以供參考。

此處做個補充：除了下文中提及，哈薩克共和國總統批評俄軍侵烏和表達願意將石油輸出給歐洲兩個事件之外；當俄國前幾天在烏克蘭(俄軍)佔領區舉行的「入俄公投」通過後，該國外交部立即宣布「不予承認」。這表示哈薩克共和國領袖感受到：如果普丁橫行霸道得逞，該國將是普丁下一個俎上之肉的威脅。這也是習大大宣示將保證哈薩克共和國的安全和主權、領土完證的背景之一。

China Isolates Russia

Diane Francis. The Kyiv Post,  09/17/22

Vladimir Putin has suffered a serious military setback in his war in Ukraine in recent days, but China’s Xi Jinping dealt him a second, diplomatic blow on September 13. He “warned” any country against meddling in Kazakhstan (哈薩克共和國), days before the two leaders meet today (September 15) face-to-face. This was meant for Russia because the Kazakhs have been in Putin’s cross hairs since June after their leader openly criticized the war in Ukraine, and then announced that Kazakh oil exports would be diverted to help Europe. Russians blocked the exports, and hinted that Kazakhs may be invaded like Ukraine.

But this week Xi waded in by pledging to protect the country from invasion in a private meeting with leaders that was leaked. “We [China] will resolutely support Kazakhstan in the defense of its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” This amounted to a pre-emptive rebuke by Xi, aimed at Putin’s Imperialism. No matter what the two say publicly after their meeting today as to how strong their ties are, China is distancing itself from Putin as his war in Ukraine falters.

Contrary to what Putin would like the world to think, China has never supported his war against Ukraine. On February 4, the two signed a 5,300-word “no limits” partnership agreement that made no mention of the invasion that occurred only 20 days later.

Since then, China has kept its distance by deploying duplicitous diplomacy (兩面外交手腕): Beijing refuses to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or to call it a war, but it also has not praised it, has not abrogated Western sanctions against Russia, nor provided any military aid. China’s priority is to maintain its trading relationships with its biggest customers, Europe and America, and stay close with Russia, if only to tap into its cheap energy. India plays the same game even though it is a democracy and Western ally. Both are participating in naval “war” games in Asia with Russia this week to placate Putin.

The Xi-Putin partnership has been uneasy for some time. China has vied with Russia, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, for hegemony over Central Asia, with its vast resources and growing markets. Beijing has already outsmarted Moscow by spending billions to build railways, highways, and pipelines through Kazakhstan and its Central Asian neighbors aimed at improving their trade — and that bypass Russia completely.

…