China’s New Favorite Leader

“After decades of mutual suspicion—and one short border conflict—Beijing and Moscow are drawing closer as they simultaneously challenge the U.S.-led security architecture that has prevailed since the Soviet collapse” (Wall Street Journal, October 1, 2014). In fact, many in China are taking a keen interest in Vladimir Putin, Russia’s strong and decisive President, and devour reading material on this individual who is boldly standing up against the West. In fact, some Chinese even refer to him as “Putin the Great” (ibid.). According to Zhao Huasheng, an expert on China-Russia relations at Shanghai’s Fudan University, “Putin’s personality is impressive—as a man, as a leader. Chinese people find that attractive. He defends Russia's interests… Russia and China can learn a lot from each other” (ibid.). 

While the Chinese populace grows in its admiration of Putin, Putin and China’s president, Xi Jinping, have apparently developed a fast friendship. Mr. Xi told Mr. Putin in Moscow last year, “I have the impression we always treat each other as friends, with full and open hearts” (ibid.).

Bible prophecy has long foretold that a great Eastern alliance of nations will launch a 200-million-man army towards Europe in the last days (Revelation 9:16; 16:12-16; Daniel 11:44-45). Such a force will likely draw on the huge population of China and the military know-how of Russia, and perhaps include a few other nations.

For more on this topic be sure to read “Is This China’s Century?”