2023-04-16 19:07:30
Chinese Defense Minister Li Changfu Sunday praised relations with Moscow during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin.
“We have very strong relations. They go beyond military and political alliances during the Cold War era. They are very stable,” he said in translated remarks carried by Russian television.
He added that Russian-Chinese relations have “already entered a new era.”
“This is my first visit abroad since I assumed the post of Chinese defense minister. I specifically chose Russia to emphasize the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations,” Li said.
At the meeting, which was also attended by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin welcomed the military cooperation between Russia and China.
“We are also actively working through the military departments, regularly exchanging useful information, cooperating in the field of military-technical cooperation and conducting joint exercises,” Putin said.
“This is undoubtedly another important area that reinforces the exclusive trust and strategic character of our relations,” he added.
Li’s visit to Russia – which will run until April 19 – comes weeks following Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s state visit to Moscow last month.
During the two-day talks, Putin and Xi hailed the “new era” in their relations and discussed Beijing’s proposals to end the war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their cooperation over the past years, prompted by their desire to confront American hegemony in the world. Their partnership has grown closer since Putin launched his attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
China has sought to present itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, but Washington has accused Beijing of intending to export weapons to Moscow – allegations China has denied.
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