Is Russia's economy holding up well against Ukraine-war induced sanctions? China is watching and keen to know how

Russia's economy has been affected by the sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These sanctions have had a significant impact on the country's economy, including restrictions on trade and investment, as well as limits on access to foreign currency and credit. Despite these challenges, Russia's economy has shown some resilience and continued to grow at a slower pace compared to other countries.

In terms of China's interest in Russia's economy, it is worth noting that China has been one of Russia's largest trading partners for many years. In 2019, trade between the two countries reached $143 billion, with China being Russia's second-largest trading partner after Germany. Given this relationship, it is likely that China is closely monitoring the impact of the sanctions on Russia's economy and seeking to understand how it might be affected in the future.

As for William Liu and his classmates from college, their businesses have been able to make considerable inroads into Russia following the invasion of Ukraine a year earlier. This is likely due to the fact that China has been able to fill the void left by Western companies who withdrew following the outbreak of war in February 2022. Chinese products have flooded the vast market to the north, including machinery and cars, medical devices, and home appliances.

It is worth noting that while China's businesses have been able to make inroads into Russia's market, this has not come without challenges. For example, some Russian consumers may be hesitant to purchase Chinese products due to concerns about quality or safety. Additionally, the sanctions imposed on Russia have made it more difficult for Chinese companies to do business with the country, as many Western companies that were once major partners in Russia have been forced to withdraw their operations.

Overall, while Russia's economy has shown some resilience in the face of the sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine, it is likely that the long-term impact of these sanctions will continue to be felt for years to come. China, as one of Russia's largest trading partners, will likely continue to closely monitor the situation and seek to understand how it might be affected in the future.