The China-Russia partnership is a highly consequential geopolitical alignment driven by a shared goal of countering U.S. hegemony and reshaping the international order into a multipolar system. While not a formal alliance, this relationship is strengthened by Russia's increasing economic reliance on China following Western sanctions, which allows Beijing to leverage its influence. Policymakers should note that while the partnership projects deep solidarity (as seen in high-level summits), it remains complex and limited by mutual mistrust and competing strategic interests. This enduring alignment poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests and requires continued diplomatic vigilance.
The UK critical minerals strategy: Building national resilience through global political and commercial collaboration
English Summary
Chatham House’s event framing argues that the UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy is centered on reducing supply-chain vulnerability while preserving international openness. The core reasoning is that critical minerals are now indispensable to UK manufacturing, clean energy deployment, and industrial competitiveness, but exposure to geopolitical rivalry and demand shocks creates strategic risk. The strategy therefore combines domestic capability-building with deeper political and commercial collaboration with partner countries and industry actors. For policy, this implies a dual-track approach: strengthen national resilience at home while institutionalizing trusted international partnerships to secure long-term access in a contested global minerals market.
中文摘要
查塔姆研究所（Chatham House）對該場活動的框架指出，英國新版《關鍵礦產戰略》的核心在於，在維持國際開放性的同時降低供應鏈脆弱性。其主要論點是，關鍵礦產已成為英國製造業、潔淨能源部署與產業競爭力不可或缺的要素；然而，地緣政治競逐與需求衝擊所帶來的曝險，正形成戰略風險。因此，該戰略結合國內能力建構，以及與夥伴國家和產業行為者更深層的政治與商業協作。就政策意涵而言，這代表需採取雙軌路徑：一方面強化本土國家韌性，另一方面制度化可信賴的國際夥伴關係，以在競爭加劇的全球礦產市場中確保長期取得能力。
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