Friends Moving Apart? China and Russia at the United Nations
China and Russia continue to coordinate their voting at the United Nations, demonstrating a close strategic partnership. However, voting data from 2018 to 2024 reveals a gradual decline in their alignment within both the General Assembly and the Security Council, according to analyst Patrik Andersson.
General Assembly: Declining Alignment and Rising Opposition
In the General Assembly, China and Russia still vote together most of the time, but their agreement rate has fallen from around 77% in 2018 to 67% in 2024. This dip is mainly caused by an increase in opposing votes—where one country votes in favor and the other against. Additionally, partial splits, where one votes yes or no and the other abstains, have also seen a slight rise.
Consistent Conflict on Death Penalty Resolutions
Certain resolutions regularly lead to opposing votes. A notable example is the annual resolution calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty. China votes no, reflecting its continuation of thousands of executions each year—the highest in the world—while Russia votes yes, maintaining a moratorium since 1996.
"Russia has upheld a moratorium on the death penalty since 1996, whereas China is estimated to carry out thousands of executions annually – more than the rest of the world combined."
Increased Divergence in Humanitarian Arms Control
Differences have also widened in areas like humanitarian arms control, particularly regarding resolutions on cluster munitions and landmines.
Summary
Despite sustaining a strong strategic partnership, China and Russia’s voting patterns at the UN show a clear trend of growing divergence, particularly on sensitive issues such as the death penalty and arms control.