AN Australian newspaper a few weeks ago reported that while Russian President Vladimir Putin was focused on his 'special military operations' in Ukraine, units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army were conducting military exercises along the China-Russia border, fueling speculations that China might be plotting a possible invasion of Russia. The report was accompanied by photographs showing the numbers of participating troops, and the nature of weapons, transport vessels and equipment used belied the activity's cover as a routine border defense drill. Chinese official sources have denied the report calling the photographs 'fake news.'

As if to dissipate those speculations, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent effusive birthday greetings to President Putin reaffirming the friendship between the two leaders as having 'no limits,' first expressed during the latter's state visit to China. The visit coincided with Putin's gracing the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, ignoring the boycott of the event called by the United States and its allies to protest the human rights situation in China. To cement their friendship, China and Russia subsequently held joint military exercises.