The Russian media kept its eye on areas around China’s borders, cautiously raising questions about clashing Russian and Chinese interests. In September the spotlight turned to Central Asia. In November with Lavrov and Shoigu going to Japan for the first 2+2 meetings and then Putin traveling to Vietnam and South Korea, areas on two other sides of China drew attention. In between, in October, Putin travelled to the EAS in Southeast Asia. Although Russian leaders refrained from any criticism of China, these trips prompted commentaries in Russia as well as abroad. The fact that discussion of China was becoming livelier is the most noticeable trend in this period. In the midst of these visits, Medvedev went to China, sustaining the relationship.

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