Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, has long called for “a new type of great power relationship” in global affairs. Hosting a pan-Asian summit in Beijing last week, he sought to project a China that is confident and assertive – but also constructive.

The Chinese view of the world stands in contrast to the way in which Russia is now conducting relations with the west. President Vladimir Putin’s approach appears driven by confrontation, in ways that are dangerous for his own country and global security.

As they view the world around them, the starting points for Mr Xi and Mr Putin are, in some respects, similar. Neither China nor Russia is comfortable with a unipolar world built around the US. Both seek to form a sphere of influence in their near abroad and care little about human rights at home. But the ways in which Russia and China are pursuing their ambitions are very different. Confident of its strength and long-term economic prospects, China feels able to play a long game. President Putin’s actions, however, suggest a gambler with a weak hand. As Russia’s influence shrinks, so he is moved to take increasingly dangerous risks.