Dmitry Medvedev is being officially nominated today by the congress of United Russia as the ruling party’s candidate for the March 2008 Russian presidential election. His candidacy, first announced a week ago, has been well received in Beijing, and he was referred to by a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry as “a good friend of the Chinese people.” Medvedev chaired the Russian committee that recently organized the “theme years” project, which designated 2006 as the “Year of Russia” in China and 2007 as the “Year of China” in Russia. This past February, Medvedev appeared on People’s Daily Online fielding questions from the Chinese public. In discussing the future of Sino-Russian relations following Putin’s second presidential term, Medvedev stressed the “practical necessity” for bilateral exchanges to continue at a high level. As first deputy prime minister of Russia, he was the highest-ranking foreign dignitary to appear online in the Chinese media. In December 2005, barely a month after being appointed first deputy prime minister, Medvedev visited Beijing and met with president Hu Jintao in the Great Hall of the People. This fueled speculation at the time that Beijing was taking a special interest in Medvedev, as it was unusual for the Chinese head of state to meet with a foreign deputy prime minister. Chinese media coverage of Medvedev has been highly favorable. Pundits on China Central Television portrayed Medvedev as “a genteel and thoughtful man” well-equipped to tackle the major issues facing Russia today. These include strengthening the social safety net and narrowing the ever-widening income gap. In other media reports, Medvedev is characterized as “more trustworthy than Zubkov and more loyal than Ivanov” and therefore the “best guarantor” that Russia will stay on the course mapped out by Putin. It is “necessary” for the “absolutely dependable” Medvedev to succeed Putin because the continuous implementation of the “correct policy” requires “stability,” a sentiment often expressed by Chinese leaders when referring to China’s domestic policy. The 42-year old Medvedev is, however, seen as lacking in experience and in need of the support of a seasoned mentor. Analysts therefore consider president Medvedev and prime minister Putin to be “the best partnership.” China Youth Daily notes that the two leaders share “three sames”–being from the same city, having attended the same university, and having the same grand vision for Russia. Chinese media paid attention also to the December 11 television address in which Medvedev announced his support for Putin to be prime minister while paying tribute to the former KGB officer for reforming Russia’s military:
Perhaps even more significant is the ample coverage given by Chinese media to a USA Today report quoting a Russian government worker’s observation that “if Putin stays, we will make the United States kneel.” The quote initiated much discussion in Chinese cyberspace. While some expressed admiration for the Russian civil servant’s “guts and spunk,” others warned of possible “unfortunate consequences” from “forfeiting the democratic process.” One posting asked, “If someday the United States is really to kneel at Russia’s feet, who then will be next?”
