The limits of the ‘no limits’ Russian-Chinese partnership: The case of Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Announcing a ‘no limits friendship’ on the sidelines of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Russia and China pledged to establish a close partnership and far-reaching cooperation on the international stage. However, despite these rhetorical commitments, the growing presence of China and Russia in Africa reveals competition rather than robust collaboration. As Russia and China seek to increase their influence on the continent, their partnership is hampered by their respective interests and objectives. Furthermore, their inherently opposing approach to engagement with Africa produces an antagonistic dynamic in which the actions of each undermine the goals pursued by the other. The African scene thus highlights the limits of the Sino-Russian partnership as well as the realities of their national priorities.