BEIJING: China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun on Monday told Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov during talks in Beijing that the two countries’ armies should “deepen strategic collaboration”.
The Russian Defence Minister arrived in Beijing for high-level talks aimed at advancing military and political cooperation between the two nations.
“The two militaries should follow the direction set by their leaders, deepen strategic collaboration, and continuously advance military relations,” Dong told his Russian counterpart, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Defence.
This push for enhanced military ties comes as both nations continue to strengthen their alliance in the face of growing global tensions.
Dong further praised the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying their strong partnership has brought China-Russia relations to an all-time high, serving as a model for major power relations.
“Under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, China-Russia relations have reached an all-time high… serving as a model for major power relations,” Dong added.
Belousov arrived in Beijing for talks with China’s military and political leadership, signaling the ongoing effort by both countries to bolster their military and economic cooperation.
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Russia and China have forged closer relations since the Kremlin began its Ukraine offensive in February 2022, an alliance that has caused worries in the West as both countries seek to expand their global influence.
Their military cooperation was recently showcased in large-scale joint naval drills conducted last month in the Sea of Japan, described by President Putin as the largest of their kind in the past 30 years.
Meanwhile, economic and trade relations between Moscow and Beijing have also strengthened. Putin in August noted that these links were “yielding results” and emphasized the importance of joint “economic and humanitarian” projects.
Belousov’s visit underscores the growing military and economic alliance between Moscow and Beijing, a relationship that has drawn increasing scrutiny from the West.
During the visit, Belousov is expected to hold a series of discussions with China’s military and political leadership to further cement cooperation.
On Monday, warships from both nations also took part in anti-submarine firing exercises in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, highlighting their ongoing naval cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Putin has consistently praised the strengthening economic and trade ties with China, pointing to the joint “economic and humanitarian” projects both countries are pursuing.
The exercises showcase the growing military collaboration between Russia and China, especially amid increasing geopolitical tensions in the region.
