If the purpose of a rare joint appearance of the leaders of Russia, North Korea and China on Sept. 3, 2025, was to foster unity among allies, then early indicators suggest its already working – just elsewhere.

Two days after the trio met in Beijing, Japan and Australia agreed to strengthen security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Then on Sept. 11, an accord between Japan and the Philippines went into effect, allowing the armed forces of both nations to operate in each other’s territories. Such deals represent a show of unity by Pacific region countries against perceived Chinese assertiveness.

The placing of Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un at the side of President Xi Jinping at the high-profile commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II was deliberate. Beijing was communicating solidarity and alignment among the three countries against the West. Western media outlets interpreted this moment as Beijing intended, warning of a new international order centered on China.

But as an expert in Northeast Asian security and China’s grand strategy, I believe the developments highlight a real danger to Beijing that its approach may be creating new challenges and risks. It hems Xi in strategically, forcing him closer to two unpredictable actors on China’s northeast borders while undermining any claims Beijing has to be an alternative, neutral global mediator. Above all else, it could further damage China’s fragile relations with Europe and countries in Asia.

And none of this will be to China’s benefit.

To be sure, China’s forging of closer ties with two states that much of the world sees as pariahs hasn’t come out of the blue. It follows years of increasing tensions between China and the West.

The war in Ukraine has been a main reason behind the recent deterioration of China–Europe relations, despite Beijing long claiming neutrality in the conflict and calling for peace talks.

Earlier this year, China signaled its dissatisfaction with Pyongyang for moving too close to Moscow and making military aid to Russia increasingly public.

Xi’s highly visible appearance alongside........

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