On June 15, at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (sco), Russia and China, along with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, signed a series of agreements to boost economic and security cooperation. The day before, during a Russian-Chinese trade and economic forum in Moscow, the two countries signed 11 economic agreements worth $540 million (Itar-Tass, June 14).

This is a relationship that is growing rapidly. In the first three months of 2006, bilateral trade between Russia and China grew 53 percent over the same period last year, passing the $12 billion mark. It is only a beginning. Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “We have talked about advancing our collaboration in the military-technical sphere. The volumes are very large, worth billions of dollars, and we intend to maintain these volumes” (Novosti, June 15).

The Trumpet has covered the developing relationship between Russia and China for over a decade. We have consistently predicted that the relationship, especially the military relationship, between these powers will grow—and it has.

Ninety-five percent of China’s new weapons now come from Russia—and it is sophisticated weaponry. According to the Pentagon, China has bought: su-27 Flanker fighters; su -30 Flanker interceptors; aa-12 Adder medium-range air-to-air missiles; sa-10 Grumble (a long-range system to protect against aircraft and cruise missiles); sa-15 Gauntlet and sa-20 Triumf surface-to-air missiles; 3m-54e anti-ship cruise missiles; Kilo-class diesel submarines; Sovremennyi class destroyers; il-76 Candid transport planes; il-78 Midas in-flight refueling tankers. In all, under deals made between 2000 and 2005, China has received $11 billion worth of weaponry, and more is on the way.

More than simply peddling its military wares though, Russia is working with the Chinese toward their mutual development as global military powers. Last year, Russia and China conducted joint military exercises, reaffirming Russia’s military strength and frightening those in Taiwan who might dare to dream of independence. A senior Chinese military official even suggested the exercises were intended to deter the United States from taking action if the island moved toward independence and China responded with a military attack. A strong military ally for China clearly threatens the prospects of any Taiwanese bid for independence.

Now, military exercises under the aegis of the sco are in the planning stages for 2006 and 2007 (Epoch Times,June 12).

These events are interesting to watch from a military standpoint, but the real story is the ever-growing relationship between Russia and China. We have seen cooperation between these powers in the energy sector, the political arena, and in military development.

Bible prophecy guarantees that these nations will play a profound role in end-time events—including the formation of a 200 million-man army. For more information, please read our booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.