President Xi Jinping could turn his back on ally Vladimir Putin and invade Russia as he strives towards global domination, a former Navy chief claims.
Lord Admiral West argues that despite the pair appearing to be associates, the alliance could fall apart if the Chinese leader gets too greedy.
West said the Russian leader is a submissive "supplicant" to President Xi who could be set on stealing Russia's territory.
The ex-First Sea Lord believes Jinping's long-term plan is to seize Russian land to apprehend oil fields and other raw materials.
President Xi Jinping could turn his back on ally Vladimir Putin and invade Russia as he strives towards global domination, a former Navy chief claims
Reuters
"If it really gets very bad and they desperately need resources I think there’s a very real risk they could decide to take the bits of Siberia they want," West told The Sun.
"It is all about resources. Resources are going to become more and more of a problem for China.
"They have already issued maps of Siberia that have Chinese names."
He added that Putin is "playing with fire" and there is a "danger of supping with the devil".
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After being cut off from much of the international trading system following his invasion of Ukraine, Putin has increasingly put more economic dependence on China.
It comes after Defence Minister Grant Shapps said that Xi is providing weapons to aid Putin with his war.
He warned: "We should be concerned," after spies tracked "lethal aid" from China to Russia.
Shapps added that an "axis of authoritarian states led by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea" were gradually starting to work together.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met in China last week
REUTERSIt follows unprecedentedly large war drills staged by China in a mock invasion of Taiwan.
Beijing said it was a "punishment" for its new president's "declaration of war" speech.
Last week Putin met President Xi where the duo pledged a "new era" of partnership.