Senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi has attended the latest round of the China-Russia strategic security consultation. It is the latest high-level exchanges between the two countries which have been in a strategic partnership for years.

Yang’s visit comes after the United States announced fresh sanctions against Russia, and launched a trade war against China.

This week, Washington once again referred to China and Russia as national security threats in its new defense budget. Are the US' economic attacks and military threats strengthening ties between Beijing and Moscow?

"Russia and China have developed a strategic partnership before the current downward spiral in relations with the US, so the current situation may serve as a test for our security coordination rather than a reason to deepen it," Dmitry Stefanovich, an expert at the Russian International Affairs Council, says. He adds that the two countries share the same stance on many global security issues such as the DPRK nuclear issue, and they are ready to work together to find solutions.

Stefanovich points out China can play a key role in addressing the global arms control challenges that arose from the US-Russian bilateral problems. According to him, it is high time for China to stand out as the US announces its plan to develop the so-called space force.

"China and Russia can continue to work on counter-terrorism actions, specifically in Syria and probably Afghanistan."

Stefanovich maintains that apart from bilateral cooperation, the two countries should also enhance coordination in multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS cooperation.

Stefanovich stresses that closer ties between China and Russia don’t mean they are approaching any form of military alliance.

"I believe a military alliance will be very dangerous for both countries because both Russia and China have challenges in Europe and Asia, which are separated geographically and politically."

As both countries are hit by American tariffs, Stefanovich points out that attacks from the US aimed at the Russian economy and Chinese trade are not seen as part of the same plan.

Stefanovich does not suggest radical measures be taken by Russia and China, but he believes that the two neighbors can cooperate under the BRICS framework and the Belt and Road Initiative to help minimize the effects of the hostile actions by the US.