On the surface, the friendship between Russia and China looks very strong. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping often meet with big smiles, handshakes, and parades, telling the world they have a “friendship without limits”. But deep inside, things are very different. Russia’s secret police, the FSB, see China not as a true friend but as a possible enemy.
Recently, secret documents leaked from inside the FSB show a side of this relationship that most people don’t know about. These papers reveal that Russia is worried about China’s real intentions, especially in areas that they considers very important. Even though Putin and Xi Jinping say they are partners, the FSB thinks China might try to take their land or steal their secrets.
The Battle for Land and Secrets
One of the biggest worries for Russia is the vast and resource-rich area called the Russian Far East. This land is huge but not very crowded. The FSB fears that China wants to claim some of this land by saying it once belonged to them long ago. The documents talk about China looking for “ancient Chinese remains” in these regions to support such claims. This is similar to how China uses old stories to back up its claims in other places, like the South China Sea.
Besides land, the FSB is also very concerned about China trying to steal military secrets. China is reported to be trying to recruit unhappy Russian scientists to get new technology. This includes advanced gadgets like drones and special Soviet-era vehicles called ekranoplanes, which can glide over water. There is even fear that some former Russian military pilots might be working secretly with China.
To fight this, the FSB started a secret plan called Operation Entente-4. This plan began quietly after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The name “Entente” means an alliance, but the FSB’s mission is to spy on China and stop it from stealing information or influencing Russian citizens. For example, they are hacking into phones and computers using a popular Chinese app called WeChat to watch for any suspicious activities.
The Arctic is another place where the FSB is very watchful. As the ice melts, new paths for ships and access to resources open up. China is sending mining companies and researchers there, but the FSB believes these might actually be spies trying to learn Russian secrets.
The Power Struggle Beyond Borders
The FSB’s worries are not just about Russia’s own land. They also watch China’s growing influence in Central Asia—a region close to them that it has long considered its own “backyard”. China uses money and trade to build strong ties with countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This quiet takeover makes Russia nervous because it feels like China is trying to push them out.
Even more sensitive is the suspicion that China is spying on the Wagner Group, a Russian private army that fights in places like Syria and Africa. The FSB fears that China might want to learn all about Wagner’s operations or even take control of its resources.
Despite all these secret fears, Vladimir Putin continues to talk publicly about the strong friendship with Xi Jinping. He avoids speaking about these worries openly because Russia depends on China for money and help in world politics, especially after facing tough sanctions from the West.
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The secret documents show that this partnership is more complicated than it seems. Russia is caught between needing China’s support and being afraid of China’s growing power. The FSB’s silent spying and protective actions reveal a deeper story of distrust hidden behind the friendly public appearances.