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Chinese and Russian defence chiefs agree to boost military ties
- Academies, branches and theatre commands will work together more closely
- Talks come as the West is closely watching relations between the two countries
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China and Russia’s military academies, branches and theatre commands will work together more closely, the countries’ defence chiefs said during a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday.
Chinese General Li Shangfu told his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu that China’s military would promote cooperation with Russia’s armed forces, including on military technology, according to a Russian defence ministry statement.
The two sides also pledged to support each others’ “core interests”, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Tan Kefei said on Wednesday.
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“The Russian side said it opposes Taiwan independence in any form and firmly supports China to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Li’s four-day visit to Russia, which wrapped up on Wednesday, was his first abroad since he was appointed defence minister in March. He told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that China was willing to strengthen communication and coordination between the Chinese and Russian militaries.
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It comes after Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to hold regular joint naval and air drills when they met in Moscow last month.
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