Description
China and Russia’s strategic partnership draws upon a shared opposition to Western hegemony and unipolarity, yet their visions of international order diverge significantly. Using framing analysis of over 5,000 tweets (2014–2025) from both states’ official X MFA accounts, this study examines how each frames key norms such as multipolarity, international law, sovereignty, and cooperation toward international audiences. Methodologically, it employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis to identify similarities and differences, longitudinal trends, tone, and emphasis on key aspects.
The results reveal notable divergences. While both present multipolarity as an alternative to Western dominance, Russia see it through a geopolitical balance and great-power parity of the 19th century, whereas China envisions a gradual redistribution of influence grounded in economic influence and developmental hierarchies similar to a tributary system. Regarding international law, Moscow employs norms instrumentally to justify actions safeguarding its security interests, whereas Beijing stresses procedural legality, UN centrality, and non-interference. In terms of sovereignty, Russia prioritises territorial control and regime survival, while China extends the concept to economic and digital domains, promoting “cyber” and “development” sovereignty. Finally, in cooperation, Russia views alliances as tactical counterbalances to the West, while China frames cooperation as part of a long-term vision of global connectivity through initiatives such as the Belt and Road and the Global Governance Initiative.
