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China and Russia eye stronger intelligence and law enforcement ties as top security officials meet
- Politburo member Chen Wenqing says Beijing supports Moscow’s national security efforts as he visits Russia a month after deadly concert hall attack
- Amid tensions with the West, Beijing and Moscow have stepped up strategic cooperation, drawing scrutiny from Washington
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Beijing and Moscow are expected to strengthen communications in intelligence and law enforcement as the two countries deepen strategic ties in the face of suspicion from the West.
During a meeting on Tuesday, China’s top security official Chen Wenqing, who heads the Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, told Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev that Beijing supports Moscow in its efforts to ensure national security.
Chen said China condemns last month’s attack on a concert hall near Moscow and “resolutely opposes all manifestations of terrorism”, according to Russian news agency Tass. At least 137 people were killed in the attack – the worst Russia has seen in decades.
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The Russian Security Council said in a statement that the two discussed “further strengthening cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries”.
“Opinions were exchanged on some issues on the international agenda. The parties confirmed their focus on enhancing coordination in the international arena,” it said.
Chen, who also holds a seat on the Communist Party’s 24-member Politburo, began a nine-day trip to Russia on Saturday. The Chinese foreign ministry said he was invited to pay an official visit to the country and to attend the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in St Petersburg, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday.
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