CHINA PERSPECTIVE

Beijing, June 7. The South China Morning Post is the Chinese global voice that this Sunday tackles the Armenian vote with a clear reading grid: Moscow is losing. The headline is unambiguous: 'EU and Russia clash as Armenians head to the polls, Putin fumes.' The article documents that Russian officials have imposed new restrictions on Armenian exports (notably wines and agribusiness) and that Putin has made veiled threats comparing relations between Armenia and Europe to those of Ukraine — heavy invocation after three years of war. For Beijing, watching Russian retreat without applauding loudly, this is a strategic opportunity: China could fill the void left by Moscow in the Caucasus without openly upsetting its Russian partner. Armenian PM Pashinyan seeks a strong mandate for this new geopolitical course, writes the SCMP. The opposition includes several pro-Russian parties including Armenia Forte of billionaire Samvel Karapetyan. The SCMP also recalls that Russia tried to prevent the Armenian electoral commission from excluding the pro-Russian opposition — an attempt that failed. For Beijing, which invests in neighboring Georgia (central corridor) and negotiates with Baku for gas delivery to China via Turkey, the Armenian pivot is a signal. If Yerevan turns to the EU, the pivotal role of the South Caucasus as a Sino-Eurasian corridor goes to Baku, and China will find its account there. The Chinese silence on Kosovo is by contrast total — Beijing officially recognizes the Serbian territorial integrity and has no interest in commenting on Pristina's vote.