China’s defence minister has praised the strong and stable relations between the two countries during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the AFP news agency, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shengfu said, “Our relations are very strong.” These are beyond the military and political alliances of the Cold War era. And are very stable.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Li Shengfu said that relations between Russia and China have “entered a new era.”
This is my first foreign visit as China’s defence minister. And for this, I specifically chose Russia to emphasise the special nature and strategic importance of our bilateral relations.
Defence Minister Li Xingfu added that the two countries are willing to work with Russia to further strengthen strategic ties between their militaries.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was also present in the meeting with President Putin.
President Putin welcomed the military cooperation with China and said that they are working vigorously through the military departments, regularly exchanging useful information, conducting joint war exercises, and cooperating in the technical field of the military.
After President Xi Jinping‘s visit to Moscow last month, Defence Minister Li Xingfu is visiting Russia.
In President Xi Jinping’s two-day talks with Vladimir Putin, the two leaders hailed the beginning of a “new era” in relations.
It should be noted that at the end of February, China presented a 12-point plan for the end of the war in Ukraine and the establishment of peace.
In the 12-point peace plan, China proposed a political solution to the Ukraine conflict, urging both sides to gradually reduce tensions, leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.
The plan, however, said to ensure the safety of citizens and respect the sovereignty of all countries, but China refrained from condemning the Russian actions.