Top 10 Friends of China

China is a rising global power that has been expanding its influence and interests in various regions and domains. China has also been facing increasing challenges and competition from other countries, especially the United States, that perceive its rise as a threat to their own interests and values. In this context, China has been cultivating and maintaining its relations with its friends and allies, who share common interests, values, or perspectives with China, or who benefit from China’s economic and political support. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 friends of China, based on their historical ties, strategic cooperation, economic interdependence, and diplomatic alignment with China. We will also look at some of the benefits and challenges of being a friend of China in the current international environment.

10. Cambodia

Cambodia is one of China’s closest friends in Southeast Asia, and a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Cambodia and China have a long history of friendship and mutual support, dating back to the 1950s when they established diplomatic relations. China has been Cambodia’s largest source of foreign investment, trade, tourism, and aid, contributing to Cambodia’s economic development and infrastructure projects. China has also been Cambodia’s staunchest political ally, backing its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and shielding it from international criticism over its human rights and democracy issues. Cambodia, in turn, has supported China’s core interests, such as its claims in the South China Sea, its position on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, and its role in regional and global affairs.

9. Pakistan

Pakistan is China’s “all-weather strategic cooperative partner” and an “iron brother” in South Asia. Pakistan and China have a strong and enduring friendship that is based on mutual trust, respect, and support. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China in 1950, and has since maintained close political, military, economic, and cultural ties with China. China has been Pakistan’s largest supplier of arms, its largest trading partner, and its largest source of infrastructure financing under the BRI. China has also been Pakistan’s reliable partner in regional security issues, such as the Kashmir dispute with India, the Afghan peace process, and the fight against terrorism. Pakistan has reciprocated by supporting China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, and its role as a responsible global power.

8. Russia

Russia is China’s “comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for a new era” and a “good neighbor” in Eurasia. Russia and China have a complex and dynamic relationship that has evolved from rivalry to partnership over the past decades. Russia and China share many common interests, such as opposing U.S. hegemony, promoting multipolarity, upholding international law, and defending their sovereignty and security. Russia and China have also enhanced their cooperation in various fields, such as energy, trade, technology, defense, and diplomacy. Russia and China have coordinated their positions on major regional and global issues, such as the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear deal, the Syrian crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia and China have also conducted joint military exercises, such as the Vostok-2018 and the Tsentr-2019 exercises, to demonstrate their mutual trust and deterrence capabilities.

7. Iran

Iran is China’s “comprehensive strategic partner” and a “key partner” in West Asia. Iran and China have a long history of cultural and economic exchanges that date back to ancient times along the Silk Road. Iran and China have also developed close political and strategic ties since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. China has been Iran’s major trading partner, its main supplier of arms and technology, and its main buyer of oil and gas. China has also been Iran’s staunch supporter in international forums, such as the United Nations Security Council, where it has vetoed or diluted sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Iran has also backed China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Taiwan and Hong Kong, its claims in the South China Sea, and its policies in Xinjiang and Tibet.

6. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is China’s “all-weather friend” and a “key partner” in Africa. Zimbabwe and China have a solid friendship that dates back to the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe against colonial rule in the 1960s and 1970s, when China provided moral and material support to Zimbabwean guerrillas. Zimbabwe and China have since maintained close political and economic ties, with frequent high-level visits and exchanges. China has been Zimbabwe’s largest source of foreign investment, trade, aid, and debt relief, helping Zimbabwe overcome its economic and social challenges. China has also been Zimbabwe’s loyal ally in international affairs, defending its sovereignty and legitimacy, and opposing Western interference and sanctions. Zimbabwe has also supported China’s core interests, such as its one-China policy, its position on human rights, and its role in Africa.

5. Serbia

Serbia is China’s “comprehensive strategic partner” and a “true friend” in Europe. Serbia and China have a deep and lasting friendship that is based on mutual respect, trust, and support. Serbia and China established diplomatic relations in 1955, and have since maintained frequent high-level contacts and exchanges. China has been Serbia’s major partner in economic cooperation, trade, investment, infrastructure, and technology, especially under the BRI. China has also been Serbia’s staunch supporter in political and security issues, such as its sovereignty over Kosovo, its integration into the European Union, and its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Serbia has also supported China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang, its claims in the South China Sea, and its role in global governance.

4. North Korea

North Korea is China’s “friendly neighbor” and a “traditional ally” in Northeast Asia. North Korea and China have a special and unique relationship that is forged by blood and history. North Korea and China fought together against the United States and its allies in the Korean War (1950-1953), and signed the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty in 1961, which commits them to mutual defense and assistance. North Korea and China have also maintained close political, military, economic, and cultural ties, with regular high-level visits and exchanges. China has been North Korea’s largest provider of food, energy, trade, and aid, as well as its main diplomatic shield against international pressure and sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea has also supported China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Taiwan and Hong Kong, its claims in the South China Sea, and its policies in Xinjiang and Tibet.

3. Venezuela

Venezuela is China’s “comprehensive strategic partner” and a “brotherly friend” in Latin America. Venezuela and China have a strong and cooperative relationship that is based on mutual benefit and common development. Venezuela and China established diplomatic relations in 1974, and have since expanded their cooperation in various fields, such as energy, trade, finance, infrastructure, technology, and culture. China has been Venezuela’s largest creditor, investor, and trading partner, as well as its main source of oil imports. China has also been Venezuela’s steadfast supporter in international affairs, backing its sovereignty and stability, and opposing U.S. intervention and sanctions. Venezuela has also supported China’s core interests, such as its one-China policy, its position on human rights, and its role in Latin America.

2. Cuba

Cuba is China’s “comrade-in-arms” and a “faithful friend” in Latin America. Cuba and China have a profound and fraternal friendship that is rooted in their shared socialist ideals and revolutionary experiences. Cuba was the first country in Latin America to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1960, and has since maintained close political and ideological ties with China. China has been Cuba’s largest trading partner, its main source of aid and investment, and its main supporter of its economic and social development. China has also been Cuba’s reliable partner in international affairs, defending its sovereignty and dignity, and opposing U.S. embargo and isolation. Cuba has also supported China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Taiwan and Hong Kong, its claims in the South China Sea, and its policies in Xinjiang and Tibet.

1. Nepal

Nepal is China’s “good neighbor” and a “strategic partner” in South Asia. Nepal and China have a friendly and cooperative relationship that is based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Nepal and China established diplomatic relations in 1955, and have since developed their cooperation in various fields, such as trade, investment, infrastructure, tourism, culture, education, and health. China has been Nepal’s largest source of foreign direct investment, its second-largest trading partner, and its main provider of infrastructure financing under the BRI. China has also been Nepal’s sincere partner in regional security issues, such as the border dispute with India, the Nepalese civil war, the Nepalese constitutional crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nepal has also supported China’s core interests, such as its sovereignty over Tibet and Taiwan, its position on human rights, and its role in South Asia.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are many countries that are friends of China, who have different reasons and motivations for