Can China and Russia truly trust each other?

Yes. Xi and Putin have the wisdom to construct trust between the two countries.

What distinguishes a civilized society from a barbaric society? The trust. The trust level in a civilized society is higher than in a barbaric society. The higher the trust level among entities in a society, the more civilized the society.

You may not trust your neighbour with money or even property, but you are not worried that your neighbour will break into your house, so you have to have your weapon ready every day. That’s the level of trust we need to have a normal life in a civilized society. So, is there true trust between you and your neighbors? To some extent, as long as you do not share all your property and wealth with your neighbours, you can still trust your neighbors to help you call 911 in an emergency. If you can trust your neighbours so much as to share all your wealth and property, then you are living in a communist society.

China and Russia had some ugly relationships in history because the world was not civilized enough yet. When the world is living in realpolitik there the powerful invade the weaker, no country can trust other countries. The world is under the law of the jungle. It is a barbaric world order.

The relationship between China and Russia may slip into realpolitik. The risk is real. But China and Russia are building a relationship of shade future. That is progress, that is progress from barbarism to civilization.

This is a long process that needs repeated exchanges. The process is not easy. But both sides have the political determination to make progress.

Let the trust level between China and Russia improve day by day. That is good for the people of China, Russia, and the world. That’s the progress we should all cheer.