China Emerges Stronger as US and Russia Face Wars: Markov

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By TRH World Desk

China Gains Strategic Edge as US and Russia Remain Trapped in Conflicts, Says Ex-Putin Spokesman Sergei Markov

New Delhi, May 20, 2026 — China has emerged as a major beneficiary of geopolitical turbulence involving the United States and Russia, according to former spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sergei Markov, who said Beijing currently enjoys greater diplomatic flexibility while other powers remain entangled in prolonged conflicts.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Markov described China’s unique ability to engage simultaneously with rival global powers as a sign of its growing international leverage.

“China is a superpower with a superpower,” Markov said. “As a country they are able to host the United States one week and Russia the next week, and Russia can’t host the United States.”

The remarks came in response to a question on whether Beijing currently holds the upper hand politically on the international stage.

Markov acknowledged that China has gained advantages because both Washington and Moscow remain heavily occupied by major geopolitical crises.

“Of course China has a lot of benefits because another two superpowers such as the United States and Russia are involved in the war trap,” he said.

He argued that neither Russia nor the US expected these conflicts to become so prolonged. “I would say they are involved in wars which they didn’t like to be so long and so unexpected,” Markov added, referring to the continuing conflict in Ukraine and wider tensions linked to Iran.

The comments reflect a growing narrative among geopolitical analysts that Beijing has benefited from strategic patience while its principal rivals devote resources to military conflicts and security crises.

China has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic actor capable of engaging multiple centres of power simultaneously — maintaining ties with Moscow while also sustaining dialogue with Western capitals.

However, Markov dismissed suggestions that current shifts would fundamentally alter the global hierarchy. “Countries like the United States, Russia, China and Europe as a whole are so big that we couldn’t expect they will lose their high-ranked position in the international arena,” he said.

“The opposition could change, but they will not fall down.”

His remarks underscore an emerging view that the global order may be witnessing a redistribution of influence rather than the collapse of established powers — with China currently appearing best placed to capitalize on the turbulence.