Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu praised “strong” ties with Moscow during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Sunday.
“We have very strong ties that go beyond the military-political alliances of the Cold War era” and are “very stable,” he said during the meeting, which was broadcast on Russian television.
Relations between Russia and China have “already entered a new era,” he said.
“The strategic importance of our relationship”
“This is my first foreign trip after taking over as defense minister. I specifically chose Russia to emphasize the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations,” Li added.
Military cooperation between the two countries
During the meeting, which was also attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Mr. Putin praised the military cooperation between the two countries. “We actively work through the military departments, regularly exchange useful information, cooperate in the field of military-technical cooperation and conduct joint exercises,” Putin said. “This is undoubtedly another important part of strengthening the character of our relationship,” he added.
Allies in the Face of US Hegemony
Mr Li’s visit to Russia, which runs until April 19, follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow in March. During this summit, M.M. Putin and Xi demonstrated their good understanding by presenting themselves as strategic partners determined to counter US hegemony.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Beijing has remained officially neutral, not condemning the Russian invasion. Mr Xi has never spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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